District of Montana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Four Montana tribal communities to receive more than $3 million to help crime victims and improve public safetyRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Four Montana tribal communities will receive more than $3 million in Department of Justice grants to improve public safety and to serve crime victims, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson announced today.
The four grants are among 137 grants to 85 American Indian and Alaska Native communities, totaling $73 million, announced this week during the virtual White House Tribal Nations Summit. These funds are designed to help enhance tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement, improve the handling of child abuse cases, combat domestic violence and support tribal youth programs.
“I am pleased that these Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation funds will be going to four of Montana’s tribal nations. This money will provide critical support to help tribes strengthen public safety and address the challenges of violent crime too often experienced in their communities,” U.S. Attorney Johnson said.
The grants total $3,081,878 and are being awarded to:
• Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation: Tribal Youth Program, 508,245.
• The Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation: Tribal Justice Systems, $899,813.
• Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation: Children’s Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities, $450,000.
• Fort Peck Assiniboine Sioux Tribes: Public Safety and Community Policing, $899,960; and Children’s Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities, $323,860.
More than four in five of American Indian and Alaska Native adults have experienced some form of violence in their lifetime, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. This equates to nearly three million people who have experienced stalking, sexual violence, psychological aggression or physical violence by intimate partners.
More than $73 million will be awarded under CTAS, a streamlined application which helps tribes apply for tribal-specific grant programs that enhance law enforcement and tribal justice practices, expand victim services and sustain crime prevention and intervention efforts. CTAS grants are administered by the Office of Justice Programs ($48 million) and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) ($25 million).
In addition to CTAS funding, OJP has awarded more than $100 million through the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside to improve services for crime victims in Tribal communities. OJP’s Office for Victims Crime is supporting tribal grantees with capacity building, training and technical assistance (more than $6.8 million) and an update of the Tribal Resource Tool ($199,999), which maps the availability of victim services in tribal communities. An additional $2.9 million will be awarded under the Children’s Justice Act Partnership to tribes to enhance the handling of cases centered around criminal child abuse and neglect.
Information about FY 2021 grant awards from the Office of Justice Programs can be found online on the OJP Grant Awards Page. The page will be updated as awards are made.
Information about FY 2021 grant awards from the COPS Office can be found online at the COPS Grant Page. Information about FY 2021 grant awards from the COPS Office can be found online at the COPS Grant Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
The COPS Office is the component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nation's state, local, territorial and Tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources.
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Department of Justice Announces $139 Million for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – The Department of Justice today announced more than $139 million in grant funding through the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The awards provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. In the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Montana, two cities were awarded funding totaling $750,000.
“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”
“I am pleased to announce that Great Falls and Hardin will be receiving COPS awards. This money will help their police departments hire more officers, support local efforts to drive down violent crime and make their communities safer for everyone,” U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
The following cities in Montana received awards:
- Great Falls – $375,000
- Hardin – $375,000
CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants today, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus CHP resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found here.
Since its creation in 1994, COPS has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and Tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 135,000 officers. CHP, COPS’ flagship program, continues to be in demand today: In FY21, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions. For FY22, President Biden has requested $537 million for CHP, an increase of $300 million.
To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp-award. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/.
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Department of Justice agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to organization for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served.
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Man admits aiding assault of Wolf Point man in the head with a batRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Fort Peck Indian Reservation man suspected of aiding in attacking a man in the head with a bat in Wolf Point, on the reservation, admitted to an assault crime on Nov. 16, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Rick John Morales, Jr., 32, who resides in both Wolf Point and Poplar, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury, aiding and abetting. Morales faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for March 24, 2022. Morales was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that Morales aided and abetted codefendant Harry B. Azure in assaulting the victim, identified as John Doe, on Nov. 19, 2019, in Wolf Point. John Doe called 911 for medical assistance and told a responding tribal officer that three individuals kicked in the door to his residence, struck him multiple times in the head with a small baseball bat and left. Doe initially was treated at a Wolf Point hospital then flown to Billings because of the severity of his injuries. The victim later told law enforcement that the assault occurred days after an incident involving Morales. Azure pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury and is pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy A. Johnson is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Peck Tribal Police.
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Bridger Pipeline to pay $2 million to settle civil lawsuit over oil spill into Yellowstone River near GlendiveRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – Bridger Pipeline, LLC, a Wyoming corporation, has agreed to settle a civil lawsuit with the United States and the State of Montana with a $2 million payment to help recover natural resource damages from a pipeline break that spilled crude oil into the Yellowstone River near Glendive, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said today.
The United States and the State of Montana filed a civil complaint, along with a proposed consent decree, alleging violations of the Oil Pollution Act and state law. The complaint also seeks damages and costs for injuries to natural resources resulting from the discharge of oil from the Bridger Pipeline’s Polar pipeline when it ruptured on Jan. 17, 2015 where it crosses underneath the Yellowstone River, about 6.5 miles upstream from Glendive. Bridger Pipeline estimated that 758 barrels of oil were released.
“This settlement holds Bridger Pipeline accountable for its oil spill and provides funds to restore damage caused to the Yellowstone River’s waters, fisheries, birds and riparian habitat, ecosystems and related human activities,” U.S. Attorney Johnson said. “This agreement also provides for a restoration plan, which could include a variety of projects to restore aquatic habitat and improve or restore recreational sites along the river corridor. As the longest, free-flowing river in the Lower 48 states, the Yellowstone River is prized not only for its diverse ecosystems, fisheries and recreational opportunities, but also as a vital economic resource for local communities and the state. Protecting the environment is a high priority of the Department of Justice, and we will work with industry and our state and federal partners to ensure that happens.”
The proposed consent decree requires Bridger Pipeline to pay $2 million to resolve claims. Of this amount, $1,739,795 will be placed into a natural resource damages fund to be managed by the State of Montana and used to address injuries alleged in the complaint. Natural resources injured or damaged by the discharge include surface water, migratory birds and their supporting ecosystems, fish, including the pallid sturgeon, and associated riverine aquatic habitat and human service losses. Restoration actions or projects will be evaluated and selected by federal and state natural resource damages trustees in a future restoration plan before the funds will be spent. The restoration plan will be subject to public comment.
The remaining $260,205 portion of the settlement funds will be deposited in the U.S. Department of Interior Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Fund as reimbursement for the United States’ natural resource damage assessment costs.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith, for the District of Montana, and John Sither, senior counsel, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice, prosecuted the case. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Montana Department of Justice’s Natural Resources Damage Program investigated the case.
The proposed consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court review and approval. A copy of the settlement and proposed consent decree is available here: https://www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees
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Lolo man sentenced to prison for role in meth trafficking ringRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Lolo man who admitted to selling an undercover informant methamphetamine as part of a large trafficking ring was sentenced on Nov. 12 to seven years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Leif M. Johnson said today.
Jason Dean Hager, 56, pleaded guilty in May to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The government said in court documents that Hager participated with three other co-defendants in trafficking large amounts of meth in the Missoula community from 2018 through 2021. In December 2019, Hager sold meth to an undercover informant three times in monitored transactions. Law enforcement agents further learned that a confidential informant saw Hager with one and one-half pounds of meth and that he helped a co-defendant move numerous pounds of meth and kept some to use as his own supply.
Co-defendants Terry David Starrett was sentenced to 15 years in prison, Laura Jeanne Haacke was sentenced to 54 months in prison and Jennifer Renee Hawkes was sentenced to 63 months in prison for their convictions in the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force, the Missoula Police Department and the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Nov. 10 was:
Robert Kyle Reed, 34, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Reed faces a mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release on the drug count and a mandatory five years in prison consecutive to any other sentence on the firearms count. Reed was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI’s Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-95.
Appearing on Nov. 9 was:
Fermin Joseph Vasquez, 39, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Vasquez faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Vasquez was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-66.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Nov. 10 was:
James Joseph Sanofsky, 60, of Lewistown, on charges of possession of firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person and possession of an unregistered firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Sanofsky faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Sanofsky was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Belgrade Police Department, Lewistown Police Department, Fergus, Gallatin, Garfield and Judith Basin counties sheriff’s offices and Montana Highway Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-80.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Hamilton man sentenced to 12 years in prison for distributing meth to a minor and receiving child pornographyRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Hamilton man who admitted to supplying methamphetamine to a minor girl and to receiving sexually explicit images of her after making repeated requests for such photos or videos was sentenced today to 12 years in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Robert Brandon Callison, 32, pleaded guilty in March to distribution of meth to a person under the age of 21 and to receipt of child pornography.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in the summer of 2019, Callison met the victim, identified as Jane Doe, who was under the age of 18. Doe told Callison that she was a minor. Callison provided Doe with meth and repeatedly requested she take nude photographs and videos of herself and send them to his phone. Doe ultimately complied and sent Callison sexually explicit images of herself using her cellular phone.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno B. Baucus prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.
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Charleston, S.C., man admits sex trafficking, cocaine crimes stemming from scheme to coerce women and girls into prostitutionRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Charleston, South Carolina, man accused in a large sex trafficking scheme of coercing women and girls into prostitution for him in Montana and other states admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Louis Gregory Venning, also known as “December,” 41, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, sex trafficking of a minor, transportation of a person with intent to engage in prostitution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Venning faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, five years to life of supervised release and a $5,000 special assessment on the most serious crime of sex trafficking.
A plea agreement reached in the case calls for nine other counts of sex trafficking, transportation for prostitution and drug trafficking crimes charged in a second superseding indictment to be dismissed at sentencing if the court accepts the agreement. The government agrees not to seek additional charges. Restitution is mandatory, and Venning agrees to be responsible for complete restitution relating to all counts in the second superseding indictment.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Judge DeSoto said she would recommend that Venning’s plea be accepted by U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, who will sentence Venning. Sentencing was set for March 15, 2022. Judge Christensen will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Venning was detained pending further proceedings.
In courts documents and in statements in court, the government alleged that at various times from 2012 to 2020, Venning trafficked women and girls for commercial sex and also distributed illegal narcotics, including cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. Venning employed coercion and force, violence and threats of violence and the widespread use of drugs to advance his criminal goals. Venning recruited and coerced more than a dozen women and girls, identified as Jane Does, and forced them to engage in commercial sex for him in Billings and other Montana communities. Venning took some of the Jane Does from Montana to other states, including Wyoming, Missouri and Georgia, for commercial sex work.
The government further alleged that in 2019, Venning met Jane Doe 9 in a motel in Missoula after responding to one of Jane Doe 9’s own ads for commercial sex. Venning discussed how she would work for him and ultimately she did. Venning became abusive toward Jane Doe 9, including physically assaulting her. In August 2018 in Billings, Venning coerced a girl, identified as Jane Doe 8, who was under the age of 18, to engage in commercial sex. In 2012, Venning transported another victim, identified as Jane Doe 5, from Montana to Georgia and Missouri to engage in prostitution.
In addition, Venning possessed with intent to distribute cocaine. Jane Does 3 and 4 told law enforcement that while working for Venning in commercial sex, they received cocaine from him. Social media posts collected during the investigation show Venning bragging about and sending cocaine to various individuals.
Co-defendant Destiny Lachelle Nilsen, also known as “Diamond,” pleaded guilty in the case and is awaiting sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno B. Baucus and Bryan T. Dake are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Whitefish man claiming to be a former CIA agent admits scheme to defraud investor of $2.3 million to fund bogus “off the books” rescue missionsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – A Whitefish man accused of defrauding another man of $2.3 million by claiming he was a former CIA agent and needed money to fund “off the books” rescue missions for the CIA but instead used the money for personal expenses admitted charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Matthew Anthony Marshall, 51, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion as charged in a second superseding indictment. Marshall faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the most serious charge of wire fraud.
A plea agreement filed in the case calls for eight other counts to be dismissed at sentencing if the court accepts the agreement. In addition, restitution is mandatory, and Marshall agrees to be responsible for complete restitution. The government will request restitution of approximately $2,355,000 for the wire fraud and $899,327 for tax evasion for tax years 2013 through 2016. The final figure of fraud restitution will be determined at sentencing.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. Judge Molloy will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Marshall is to be sentenced on March 3, 2022. Marshall was released pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that in the spring of 2013, Marshall began working for the victim, identified as John Doe, in Montana. Marshall convinced Doe that he was a former CIA agent and a former member of an elite Force Reconnaissance unit in the U.S. Marine Corps who had engaged in covert missions around the world. In fact, Marshall was never affiliated with the CIA in any capacity and never served in an elite Force Reconnaissance unit in the Marine Corps. Marshall received an Other Than Honorable discharge from the Marine Corps Reserve in November 1999 after accumulating 82 absences from inactive duty training.
Marshall asked Doe if he would fund “off the books” CIA-backed missions, which Marshall said would involve assault teams he would lead on rescue and other operations in foreign countries. Based on Marshall’s false representations, Doe wired large sums of money, totaling about $2,355,000, to Marshall at least six times, all under the guise of funding missions for the CIA as described by Marshall. Doe first wired Marshall $400,000 in April 2013 for an “off the books” paramilitary mission to Mexico. Marshall asked Doe for money for more purported missions from October 2013 until March 2016, and Doe wired Marshall additional sums.
Marshall did not use the money from Doe for any missions, to Mexico or anywhere else. Instead, Marshall spent the money on personal expenses and loans and gifts to friends and family members. Marshall also failed to report money received from Doe in 2013 for two purported missions as income on his tax return, resulting in a tax evasion of $356,756.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy J. Racicot and Ryan G. Weldon are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation and FBI.
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Corvallis ex-lawyer sentenced to prison for defrauding investors in real estate investment scheme, evading income taxesRead the Press Release
MISSOULA –A former lawyer who admitted to defrauding investors and to evading income taxes in a real estate investment scheme in which he lost more than $1 million in the futures market was sentenced today to three years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Ronald Dean Lords, 53, of Corvallis, pleaded guilty in July to wire fraud, money laundering and filing false tax returns.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The court will determine restitution at a later date. Lords was ordered to self-report to prison.
“Lords used his attorney-client relationship to gain access to victims’ money and then abused their trust to gamble away their money in the futures market. Lords also tried to cheat on his income taxes by failing to declare investors’ money as income. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to catch and convict white collar criminals, hold them accountable and seek justice for victims,” Acting U.S. Attorney Johnson said.
“IRS-CI will continue to identify and investigate those such as Lords, who abuse their position to victimize their clients and violate the public trust,” said Special Agent in Charge Andy Tsui of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation’s Denver Field Office. “Those in positions of trust must be held to a higher standard and today's sentencing is a step in the right direction holding those who violate the law accountable for their actions.”
The government alleged in court documents that Lords was a lawyer, who operated Eagles Landing Legal Services, PC, and a licensed realtor and general contractor, who operated Eagles Landing Construction, Inc. The construction company purported to develop real property and build homes. From 2011 to 2018, Lords defrauded 14 victims by convincing them to invest money in his construction company. Lords told the victims he would use the money to build homes, make monthly interest payments and repay the money after the homes were sold. Lords also said he would return the victims’ money within 30 days of any request. Instead of using the money to fund construction projects, Lords used some of the new money to make interest payments to prior investors and lost the majority of the funds in the futures market. When some victims demanded their principal back, Lords admitted he lost more than $1 million in the futures market and did not have their money.
The government further alleged that Lords failed to declare $432,608 he received from several victims in 2015 as “other income” on his taxes, resulting in unpaid taxes of $152,734 for that year.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation.
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Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Nov. 1 was:
Casey Mills Howard, 20, of Rexford, on charges of transportation of child pornography, distribution of child pornography and receipt of child pornography. If convicted of the most serious crime, Howard faces a mandatory minimum five years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Howard was released pending further proceedings. The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and Flathead County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-48.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Nov. 4 was:
Daniel James Garza, 31, a transient, on charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Garza faces a maximum 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the bank fraud count and a mandatory minimum two years in prison consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the aggravated identity theft count. Garza was detained pending further proceedings. The Billing Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-88.
Appearing in Great Falls before Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris and pleading not guilty on Nov. 3 was:
Scotty Ray Steen, 50, of Great Falls, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Steen faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug crime and a mandatory consecutive five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm in relation to drug trafficking crime. Steen was detained pending further proceedings. The Russell Country Drug Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-88.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Former employee admits embezzling more than $650,000 from Trout Creek companyRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – A Trout Creek woman accused of embezzling more than $650,000 while working for a Trout Creek company admitted fraud charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Tina Rae Wood, 49, pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Wood faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
A plea agreement reached in the case calls for 22 other counts in an indictment to be dismissed at sentencing if the court accepts the agreement. In addition, restitution is mandatory, and Wood agrees to be responsible for complete restitution. The government may pursue restitution of approximately $783,393, but the final amount will be determined by the court.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. Judge Molloy set sentencing for Feb. 25, 2022. Wood was released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that Wood was hired in 2013 by a supply company in Trout Creek as an office administrator and secretary. Wood eventually was placed in charge of depositing payments from customers and given access to the company’s accounting system. Wood used the accounting software to embezzle checks from one of the company’s biggest customers and deposited most of the embezzled money into a personal bank account she opened in a bank in Idaho. In February 2019, when the company’s owner realized something was amiss, he contacted Wood. Wood refused to talk to the owner and cleaned out her desk the next weekend. An investigation found 109 customer checks, totaling about $650,843, that Wood had deposited into her own account.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Wolf Point man admits murder charge in shooting on Fort Peck Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Wolf Point man admitted to a murder charge today in the November 2020 shooting of a man on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Doratello “DJ” Juan Fischer, 36, pleaded guilty to second degree murder as charged in an information. Fischer faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for March 9, 2022. Fischer was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that on Nov. 25, 2020, 911 received a call of a man, later identified as the victim, John Doe, outside of a bar in Wolf Point, on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, waiving around a gun. Law enforcement determined that Doe shot one round into the ground and then pointed the gun at Fischer. No injuries were reported. On Nov. 27, 2020, a caller to 911 advised that shots had been fired in an area of 5th Avenue South and Helena Street in Wolf Point. A few minutes later, another call to 911 advised that Doe had been shot and was lying on the floor of a residence. Emergency responders and law enforcement transported Doe to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the back of Doe.
The government further alleged that immediately before the Nov. 27, 2020 shooting, Doe was seen outside of a residence on 5th Avenue South by at least one of the residents. Law enforcement learned that an individual was driving Fischer around Wolf Point and stopped the car in an alley. Fischer exited the vehicle and shot Doe in the back as Doe was running away. At least one of the residents saw, at the time of the shooting, a man firing a rifle at Doe, who was running down 5th Avenue South. Fischer later told the driver he had killed Doe.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lori Harper Suek and Jared C. Cobell are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation and Wolf Point Police Department.
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Polson meth trafficker sentenced to more than 13 years in prisonRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Polson man convicted by a jury of trafficking methamphetamine in the Helena community was sentenced today to 13 years and eight months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
A federal jury found Roy Allen Shostak, 29, guilty on July 28 of possession with intent to distribute meth after 18 minutes of deliberation following a one-day trial.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In evidence presented at trial and in court documents, the government alleged that in May 2020, law enforcement in Helena received information that Shostak was driving a black Jaguar car, dealing meth from a trailer home and had absconded from state probation. After surveilling the residence, officers arrested Shostak on an outstanding warrant. Officers seized the car, searched it pursuant to a warrant and found three baggies of meth, a digital scale, a syringe, two cellular phones, a bill of sale showing Shostak had recently purchased the car and other items. A search of the phone showed messages between Shostak and others discussing Shostak’s trafficking of meth and heroin.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Helena Police Department and the Missouri River Drug Task Force.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Possession of child pornography sends Missoula man to prisonRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Missoula man who admitted to having child pornography on his mobile phone was sentenced today to six years in prison, to be followed by seven years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Aaron Charles Fritsch, 50, pleaded guilty in July to possession of child pornography.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court documents filed by the government, in June 2020, the Montana Department of Corrections’ Probation and Parole Division was supervising Fritsch when his probation officers conducted a home visit. The probation officers saw evidence indicating that Fritsch was violating his probation conditions. Fritsch consented to a search of his mobile phone. Officers saw several images of nude children and contacted Homeland Security Investigations. Fritsch admitted to investigators that they would find child pornography on his phone. A search of his phone found almost 200 images of child pornography.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Montana’s Probation and Parole Division.
This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.
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Billings man accused of attempted coercion, enticement for sex with minorRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Billings man accused of trying to arrange a meeting to have sex with a mother and her minor child and arrested during a multi-agency law enforcement operation into the solicitation of sex with minors had an initial appearance on Nov. 2 on a criminal complaint, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said today.
The criminal complaint accuses Martin Leo Jimenez, 27, of attempted coercion and enticement. If convicted of the most serious crime, Jimenez faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years to life of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. Judge Cavan ordered Jimenez detained pending further proceedings.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The criminal complaint and court documents allege that between Oct. 27 and Oct. 28 in Billings, Jimenez communicated through social media forums with an undercover law enforcement officer who was posing as the mother of an 11-year-old girl. The government alleges that Jimenez expressed a sexual interest in incest and children, asked if the undercover officer wanted to meet and sent the undercover officer a nude picture of himself. Law enforcement set up surveillance near Jimenez’s residence, and the undercover officer directed Jimenez to a vehicle parked on the street. Officers arrested Jimenez when he approached the vehicle.
Jimenez was arrested during a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement operation from Oct. 27 to 28 in the Billings area. The operation targeted subjects soliciting minors online with intent to engage in sexual activity or attempting to meet adults trafficking minors for sex. The Billings Police Department, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations and FBI conducted the operation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno B. Baucus is prosecuting the case.
PACER case reference. 21-68.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Justice Department awards more than $6 million in grants to Montana tribes and state of Montana for victim servicesRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — Five Montana Indian tribes and two Montana state agencies have been awarded Department of Justice grants totaling $6,631,190 to support services to victims. The funding is from the Office of Victims of Crime (OVC).
“These funds are focused on providing culturally-appropriate victim services in Indian Country communities, which experience far too much domestic and violent crime. The funds also will enhance State Victim Compensation payments to eligible crime victims. As we recognize November as National Native American Heritage Month, we need to support and highlight the work being done to help victims of violence, sexual assault and child abuse,” Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Individual tribes or organizations receiving funds for Fiscal Year 2021 from the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula Grant Program: Victim Services Projects include:
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Cheyenne Nation - $472,469
Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation - $371,289
Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes- $422,694
Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Nation - $543,066
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes - $422,695
OVC also awarded funds through the Victim of Crime Act, Victim Compensation Formula Grant program. The agencies are:
Montana Department of Justice - $609,000
Montana Department of Corrections - $3,789,977
More information on the grant funding is available from web resources here: Awards List | Funding | Office for Victims of Crime (ojp.gov).
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Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Oct. 28 was:
Aaron Todd Williams, 36, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Williams faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Williams was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-90.
Yvonne Tina Schlichting, 48, of Oregon, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Schlichting faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Schlichting was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Montana Highway Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-64.
Appearing on Oct. 26 was:
Douglas Campbell Raleigh, 46, a transient, on charges of possession with intent to distribute meth. A not guilty plea was entered on Raleigh’s behalf. If convicted of the most serious crime, Raleigh faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Raleigh was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI’s Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-77.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Oct. 27 was:
Rosemarie Murrow, 61, of Helena, on charges of possession with intent to distribute meth, distribution of meth, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, prohibited person in possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Morrow faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug charge and a mandatory five years in prison consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the charge of firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Morrow was detained pending further proceedings. The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Missouri River Drug Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-11.
Appearing on Oct. 26 was:
Michael James Lamere, 39, of Box Elder, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lamere faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Lamere was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Tri-Agency Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-77.
Moises Zamora, 36, of Colorado, on charges of assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a deadly weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. If convicted of the most serious crime, Zamora faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the assault charge and a mandatory 10 years to life consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,00 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearms crime. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-78.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Hardin woman who burned down house on Crow Indian Reservation sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Hardin woman who admitted to burning down a house on the Crow Indian Reservation in 2020 was sentenced on Oct. 27 to 30 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Vanessa Faith Prettyontop, also known as Vanessa Faith Gunshows, 34, pleaded guilty in April to arson.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that on Oct. 3, 2020, Prettyontop started a fire in a house owned by the victim, identified as John Doe. The victim had nearly finished a renovation and was planning to move in. Prettyontop entered the house through an open back door and intentionally lit a mattress on fire with a lighter. The fire spread to the rest of the house and Prettyontop walked out the front door. Prettyontop called 911 to turn herself in, confessed and said she was tired of people fighting over the house.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeanne Torske prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs.
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Great Falls woman admits methamphetamine conspiracyRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Great Falls woman accused of working with others to bring methamphetamine from Las Vegas, Nevada, back to Montana for distribution admitted to a drug trafficking crime on Oct. 27, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Ashley Nicole Rico, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine as charged in a superseding information. Rico faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Feb. 23, 2022. Rico was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that in May, Russell Country Drug Task Force officers executed a search warrant on a Great Falls residence, recovered meth and learned that the source of supply was co-defendant Lillian Lapier, who was traveling to Great Falls with meth. The investigation led to the Helena residence of another co-defendant, Rhonda Jeanette Lapier, where she and Lillian Lapier were suspected of trafficking meth together. Officers ultimately stopped a vehicle being driven by Lillian Lapier and found about 3.6 pounds of meth in the trunk. Officers obtained a warrant to search Rhonda Lapier’s residence and located three, one-pound bags of meth and $6,132 in a bedroom.. Officers stopped another suspect vehicle, driven by Rico, who was arrested on a state warrant. Rico admitted to distributing meth in Great Falls and that she and others had traveled to Las Vegas, picked up meth there and had contributed $1,000 to the deal. The six pounds of meth seized is the equivalent of 21,744 doses. Rhonda Lapier pleaded guilty to charges and is pending sentencing, while Lillian Lapier has pleaded not guilty to charges and is pending trial.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Russell Country Drug Task Force, the Missouri River Drug Task Force, FBI, Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office and Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Great Falls man admits distributing meth, fentanyl that resulted in deathRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Great Falls man accused of distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl that led to the death of another person in 2020 admitted charges on Oct. 27, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Kent Fox, 48, pleaded guilty to distribution of controlled substances resulting in death. Fox faces a mandatory minimum 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Sentencing was set for Feb. 24, 2022. Fox was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that on Aug. 23, 2020, Great Falls police officers were dispatched to a camper trailer and found a male, identified as John Doe, deceased. Fox was on the scene, was friends with Doe and had last seen him two days earlier. He went to check on Doe and found him deceased. The investigation determined that Fox, Doe and co-defendant, Brandie Rae Fulbright, had discussed the use and distribution of various drugs. In an interview with law enforcement officers, Fox admitted to picking up Doe on Aug. 21, 2020 and taking him to his home so that Doe could buy meth from Fulbright. Doe traded an AR-15 rifle to Fulbright in exchange for some meth and two blue pills. Fulbright then gave the rifle to Fox, and Fox returned Doe to his camper. Investigators learned that Doe had the meth and two blue pills when he returned home and gave some of the meth to an individual. The individual saw Doe inject himself with meth obtained from Fox and then slump over on his bed. An autopsy determined that Doe died from an overdose of a combination of meth and fentanyl. Fulbright has pleaded not guilty to charges and is pending trial.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Great Falls Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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New Mexico woman arraigned on false information and hoaxes chargeRead the Press Release
MISSOULA--The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that during an arraignment on Oct. 14, Dora Sandra Gomez, also known as Bella Gomez, 64, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging her false information and hoaxes.
If convicted of the most serious crime, Gomez faces a maximum five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Gomez was released pending further proceedings.
A trial date has been set for Dec. 20 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen.
The indictment alleges that on May 8, in Dillon, in Beaverhead County, Gomez placed an anonymous phone call to a banquet organized by the Montana Trappers Association and stated that a remotely operated explosive device was located inside the building where the banquet was taking place and people could get hurt, or words to that effect.
The FBI is not aware of any ongoing threats regarding this matter. The FBI investigated the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PACER case reference. 21-31.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Oct. 21 was:
Colton James Fredrickson, 35, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Fredrickson faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Fredrickson was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-71.
Appearing on Oct. 20 was:
Michael Paul Nohrenberg, 57, of Ryegate, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Nohrenberg faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. The FBI’s Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-61.
Appearing on Oct. 19 was:
Jeffrey Ryan O’Keefe, 27, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, O’Keefe faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. O’Keefe was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-34.
Appearing on Oct. 18 was:
Cameron Ross Forney, 38, of Billings, on charges of false statement during a firearms transaction and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Forney faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Forney was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 20-135.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Oct. 19 was:
Shane William Driscoll, 36, of Whitehall, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Driscoll faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Driscoll was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Montana Probation and Parole Division and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-09.
Nicole Ann Lopez, 37, of Great Falls, on charges of wire fraud. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lopez faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Lopez was released pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-69.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Oct. 21 was:
Dale Robert Johnson, 36, of Butte, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Johnson faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Johnson was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Service, Butte Silver Bow Police Department and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-34.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Ex-chairwoman of Montana Native Women’s Coalition sentenced for stealing federal grant fundsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — The former chairwoman of the Montana Native Women’s Coalition was sentenced today for conviction at trial of stealing federal grant funds for unapproved travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, and other unauthorized expenses, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Meredith McConnell, 52, of Lame Deer, was found guilty on April 2 at trial by a federal jury on all counts in a superseding indictment, including theft from a program receiving federal funding, wire fraud and false claims.
McConnell faced a possible sentence of 20 years in prison for wire fraud. The government requested a sentence within the guideline range of 12 months to 18 months in prison, and the court sentenced McConnell to four years of probation and ordered $29,114 restitution jointly and severally with co-defendant Sheryl Lynn Lawrence.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
“As chairwoman of the Montana Native Women’s Coalition, McConnell was entrusted with the responsibility of using federal money to help domestic violence victims on Montana’s Indian reservations. McConnell even received training on how not to commit fraud. Yet, she committed fraud anyway and used the money for her own benefit. Those who misuse grant funds will be held accountable and prosecuted. I want to thank Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan G. Weldon and Bryan T. Dake and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General for investigating and prosecuting this case.”
“McConnell stole grant funds that were meant to help Native American victims of domestic and sexual violence. Today’s sentencing shows that those who steal federal grant funds will be brought to justice,” said Douglas B. Bruce, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Denver Field Office.
In court documents and in evidence presented at trial, the government alleged that beginning in about August 2017, McConnell, along with others, misappropriated federal grant funds to give cash payments to others, to buy purses and earrings as door prizes, to meet in Las Vegas, a trip that cost $31,744, and to receive double payments for meals. Prosecutors alleged that during a four-month period, McConnell was responsible in the misappropriation of more than 10 percent of grant funds designed to help victims of domestic violence Montana’s Indian reservations.
The thefts occurred four months after McConnell and other board officials participated in training about conflicts of interest, whistleblower policies, ethics and financial oversight. The training came after the Coalition’s previous executive director, Toni Plummer, was convicted of fraud in March 2017 for stealing approximately $246,000 from the organization.
The Coalition is a Lame Deer-based organization that helps Native American victims of domestic and sexual violence. The Coalition receives funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), which provides grants for victim services. OVW awarded the Coalition $318,008 from October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018.
Co-defendants Sheryl Lynn Lawrence, of Colstrip, who was the Coalition’s executive director, and Barbara Mary Daychief, of Browning, who was a Coalition board member, each pleaded guilty to theft of federal funds. Lawrence was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $35,127 restitution jointly and severally with McConnell. Daychief was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to be solely liable for $2,973 restitution.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan G. Weldon and Bryan T. Dake prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.
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Man sentenced to prison for meth trafficking in Great Falls and cross- country crime spree involving stolen ATVsRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Florida man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in Great Falls and to transporting $80,000 in stolen ATVs and other property in a cross-country crime spree that ended in Missouri was sentenced today to 11 years and four months in prison and to be followed by four years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Harold Goodson Hill, 37, pleaded guilty in July to possession with intent to distribute meth and to interstate transportation of stolen property.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris also ordered $70,364 restitution.
The government alleged in court documents that in September 2020, the Great Falls Police Department responded to a series of theft complaints around town of various items, including an ATV from a pickup truck. While responding to a report, officers found Hill asleep in the driver’s seat of a vehicle and seized stolen items found in the vehicle. In October 2020, law enforcement learned Hill had been selling meth in Great Falls and that he was receiving suspicious packages from Las Vegas to an address he had in Townsend. Officers stopped Hill after he picked up a package at the Townsend post office, seized the package and determined it contained 1.9 pounds of meth. Hill told agents he had come to Montana from Virginia in April 2020 and admitted to distributing meth. The agents released Hill.
The government further alleged that Hill rented a 26-foot Penske truck in Whitehall on Oct. 29, 2020. A trooper in Missouri ultimately stopped the Penske truck, which was pulling a trailer that had been stolen from Broadwater County. Hill was the driver and sole occupant of the truck. Officers searched the truck and trailer and found five ATVs and a UTV that had been stolen in Montana and South Dakota, along with a Toro lawnmower and other items. The estimated value of the stolen items was $80,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica A. Betley and Jeffrey K. Starnes prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Great Falls Police Department, Russell Country Drug Task Force, Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Postal Service, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Belle Fourche Police Department, South Dakota, Sioux Falls Police Department, South Dakota, and Missouri State Highway Patrol.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Stolen identity scheme sends Jordan man to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Jordan man who admitted to stealing personal identifying information from family members and acquaintances to obtain credits cards to fund his life and a drug habit was sentenced today to 51 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Eric Richard Morrow, 37, pleaded guilty in March to mail fraud and to aggravated identity theft.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters also ordered $61,188 restitution. Morrow was detained.
In court documents, the government alleged that from 2017 to 2020, Morrow assumed the identities of family members, a former employer and the former employer’s deceased wife, a former girlfriend and others who were acquainted with him by getting their personal identifying information and using it to open fraudulent credit card accounts. Morrow had access to the information because of his relationship to the various victims. Morrow then used the credit cards to buy goods and services around Montana, including in Billings, Laurel and Jordan, and to fund his drug habit. The scheme caused more than $50,000 in losses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Billings Police Department and the U.S. Postal Service.
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Mexican national sentenced to prison for using stolen identity to live, work in Billings communityRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Mexican national who admitted to using personal information stolen from another individual to live and work in the Billings community for years was sentenced today to 51 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Hugo Javier Quiroga, also known as Antonio Alatorre, 47, pleaded guilty in April to false representation of a Social Security number, false claim to United States citizenship and aggravated identity theft.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters also ordered $4,800 restitution.
The government alleged in court documents that in 2018, law enforcement began investigating a complaint from an individual named Antonio Alatorre, originally from Brownsville, Texas. The individual said his identification documents had been stolen in the 1990s and that he had encountered numerous problems from having his identity stolen. The individual told law enforcement that he had learned someone in Billings was using his identity.
Investigators determined that the individual in Billings was Quiroga, who went by the alias Antonio Alatorre, and that Quiroga had admitted to an ex-wife that he swam across the Rio Grande to enter the United States, lived in Brownsville, Texas, for a couple of years, and used the alias as a “work name.” Investigators determined that Quiroga was born in Matamoros, Mexico.
The government further alleged that Quiroga falsely used the victim’s personal identifying information to join the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers in Helena and was a union member from 2014 through 2018. Quiroga also worked for several other companies in Montana under the Alatorre name and falsely claimed that he was a United States citizen on one of the employment application forms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan McCarthy prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Billings Police Department.
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Billings man sentenced to prison for bad check scheme, illegal possession of firearmRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted to defrauding local businesses by passing stolen and forged checks and to illegally possessing a firearm was sentenced today to five years and five months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Carl Mark Madden, 47, pleaded guilty in April to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and felon in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters also ordered $7,536 restitution.
The government alleged in court documents that Madden was involved in a scheme to defraud local businesses by passing stolen and forged checks throughout the Billings community. Madden used the identification of multiple victims and forged the signatures of real people so he could pass the checks. Madden was recorded on surveillance video at Shipton’s Big R East forging the signature of a victim on a check. Madden confessed the scheme to law enforcement on Nov. 17, 2020. Prior to the confession, a Billings Police Department officer saw Madden walking down State Avenue and asked if Madden would voluntarily go with him to police headquarters for questioning about the scheme. Madden agreed and during a safety pat down, the officer found drug paraphernalia. Madden consented to a search of a briefcase he was carrying, and the officer found a loaded .45-caliber pistol that had been reported stolen. Madden later admitted to buying the gun from an associate. Madden was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of felony convictions in South Carolina.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Billings Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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Jury convicts Lodge Grass man of sexually abusing children on Northern Cheyenne, Crow Indian reservationsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A jury today convicted a Lodge Grass man of sexually abusing two children in the 1990s on the Northern Cheyenne and the Crow Indian reservations, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
A jury found Donald Ray Gardner, 58, guilty on two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and two counts of abusive sexual contact. The two-day trial began on Monday, Oct. 18.
Gardner faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on each count.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters set sentencing for March 2, 2022 and ordered Gardner detained pending further proceedings.
“A jury held Gardner accountable for sexually abusing children over a period of years. Children must be protected from sexual predators, and we will prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law. I want to thank Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek and the FBI for investigating and prosecuting the case,” Acting U.S. Attorney Johnson said.
In court documents and in evidence presented at trial, the government alleged that Gardner engaged in a sexual act and in sexual contact with a victim, identified as Jane Doe 1, in 1994 in Lame Deer, on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. The government further alleged Gardner engaged in a sexual act and in sexual contact with another victim, identified as Jane Doe 2, in the Crow Agency area on the Crow Reservation in 1996 and in 1998. Both victims were under the age of 12 at the time.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Helena woman admits trafficking methamphetamine from Las Vegas into MontanaRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Helena woman accused of helping to bring pounds of methamphetamine from Las Vegas, Nevada, into Montana admitted to a drug trafficking crime today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Rhonda Jeanette Lapier, also known as Rhonda Trench, 49, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth. Lapier faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Feb. 16, 2022. Lapier was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that in May, Russell Country Drug Task Force officers executed a search warrant on a Great Falls residence, recovered meth and learned that the source of supply was traveling to Great Falls with meth. The investigation led to Lapier’s residence, where she and the source of supply were suspected of trafficking meth together. Officers ultimately stopped a vehicle being driven by the source of supply and found about 3.6 pounds of meth in the trunk. Officers also obtained a warrant to search Lapier’s residence. When told that officers were looking for illegal contraband in the residence, Lapier volunteered, “We’ll just make this easy, there is something in that house. But it belongs to me and I’ll show you where it’s at.” Officers located three, one-pound bags of meth and $6,132 in a bedroom where Lapier had been staying with another person. Individuals told law enforcement that several people, including Lapier, had gone to Las Vegas to pick up meth, had returned with six pounds and had dropped some of it off at Lapier’s residence. Six pounds of meth is the equivalent of 21,744 doses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Russell Country Drug Task Force, the Missouri River Drug Task Force, FBI, Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office and Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day set for October 23, 2021Read the Press Release
BILLINGS – Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson will join the Drug Enforcement Administration in support of the 21st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 23. The biannual event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at sites across Montana. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in homes are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses from these drugs.
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
“The DEA’s Take Back Day is a great opportunity to clear out unneeded and expired prescriptions. Prescription drugs can end up in the wrong hands, fueling an epidemic of opioid deaths and overdoses. I encourage Montanans to help protect their families, friends and community by participating in the DEA Take Back event to safely dispose of unused prescription medications,” Acting U.S. Attorney Johnson said.
“We now face a national epidemic reaching every corner of America. Prescription medications often end up in the wrong hands, fueling an epidemic that kills more Americans than car accidents,” said DEA Montana Resident Agent in Charge Stacy Zinn-Brittain. “The power to make a difference starts at home, beginning with returning the unused, unwanted or expired medications that each American keeps in their homes.”
More than 40 sheriff’s offices, police departments and federal agencies across Montana are participating in Take Back Day. Information about collection sites and more information about event is available here: https://takebackday.dea.gov/
During the last Take Back Day held on April 24, 2021, 4,425 law enforcement participants at 5,060 collection sites brought in a total weight of 839,543 pounds, or 420 tons, of drugs. This brings the total weight collected to 14.52 million pounds, or more than 7,262 tons, of prescription drugs collected in the history of the program. Collection results may include materials other than prescription drugs.
During the April 24, 2021 event, Montanans turned in 1,380 pounds of prescription drugs at 20 collection sites.
In addition to DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 23, prescription drugs can be disposed of any day throughout the year at any of the 11,000 authorized collectors. For more information on collection sites, visit: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 23 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com.
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Wolf Point man admits assaulting man in the head with batRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Wolf Point man accused of attacking a man in the head with a bat on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation admitted to an assault charge today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Harry B. Azure, 21, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Azure faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Feb. 17, 2022. Azure was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that on Nov. 19, 2019 in Wolf Point, Azure and another individual broke through the door of the residence of the victim, identified as John Doe, struck the victim multiple times in the head with a small baseball bat and left. The victim initially was treated at a local hospital then flown to Billings because of the severity of injuries. The victim later told law enforcement that the assault occurred days after an incident involving the other individual.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy A. Johnson is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Peck Tribal Police.
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Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Oct. 14 was:
Mary Schmidt Monahan, 61, of Missoula, on charges of unlawfully obtaining a controlled substance. If convicted of the most serious crime, Monahan faces a maximum four years in prison, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release. Monahan was released pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-45.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Oct. 12 was:
Cody James Meeks 26, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Meeks faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Meeks was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-75.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Oct. 12 was:
Jeremy John Walston, 36, of Conrad, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm and unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Walston faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Walston was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-66.
Marlina Nannett Martinez, 23, of Wolf Point, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Martinez faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Martinez was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort Peck Law Enforcement Services and Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-25.
Dakota Houle, 25, unknown residence, on charges of assault with intent to commit murder, kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted of the most serious crime, Houle faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Houle was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-59.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Finance manager for Great Falls construction company admits embezzlement schemeRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – The finance manager of a Great Falls construction company today admitted to fraud in a scheme in which she falsified invoices to steal more than $500,000 from a client for the construction of a residence, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Lynn Bapp Tempel, 60, pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Tempel faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. A plea agreement filed in the case calls for Tempel to be responsible for complete restitution, which is estimated at $519,524.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Feb. 17, 2022. Tempel was released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that Tempel managed the finances of William Tempel Construction, which entered into a contract to build a residence for a client. Beginning in May 2013, subcontractors submitted invoices directly to William Tempel Construction. Tempel provided the client invoices in which she had fraudulently inflated the amount of payment required. William Tempel Construction received approximately $4.41 million from the client for the construction of the residence. The investigation determined that Tempel falsified, altered and inflated about 153 subcontractor invoices.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and the Great Falls Police Department.
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Brockton man admits assault on Fort Peck Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Brockton man accused of beating another person at his home on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation admitted assault charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
James Michael Garcia, 29, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Garcia faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Feb. 9, 2022. Garcia was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that on Aug. 26, 2018, Garcia hit the victim, identified as Jane Doe, after an argument over the phone with a relative of the victim. The victim suffered serious bodily injuries.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared C. Cobell is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Peck Tribal Law Enforcement.
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Kalispell man admits sexually exploiting childRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – A Kalispell man accused of taking sexually explicit photographs of a child while boating on Ashley Lake in Flathead County admitted charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Edward Timothy Cockerham, 43, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child. Cockerham faces a mandatory minimum 15 years to 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for Jan. 27, 2022 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. Cockerham was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that on June 24, Cockerham went to Ashley Lake and was accompanied by two children. Cockerham took the victim, who was under the age of 18 and was identified as Jane Doe 1, boating. While out on the water, Cockerham touched and took sexually explicit pictures of Jane Doe 1. Jane Doe 1 reported Cockerham’s actions. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office seized Cockerham’s cell phone and searched it pursuant to a warrant. An initial review determined Cockerham had deleted all of the images from his cell phone. The sheriff’s office obtained a second search warrant and sent the cell phone to the Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation computer lab. A forensic examiner located sexually explicit images of Jane Doe 1.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.
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Helena man sentenced to 10 years in prison for meth trafficking, firearm crimesRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Helena man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine and to possessing a stolen gun was sentenced today to 10 years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Robert Raymond Fasuga, 38, pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and to possession of a stolen firearm.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution alleged that on June 14, 2020, Fasuga possessed at least one stolen firearm after he fled from law enforcement, pulled two firearms from his person and pointed them to his head. Officers talked him down, and Fasuga later told agents that he assumed the guns were stolen because he paid $50 for each one. Mountain Man Trading Post in Belgrade was the lawful owner of a .380 pistol recovered from Fasuga. The government also alleged that Fasuga was a meth dealer. During the execution of a federal search warrant on March 24, 2021, agents found about one pound of meth that Fasuga intended to sell and $6,779 in U.S. currency believed to be drug proceeds.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Felon sentenced to prison for possessing firearmRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Billings man who had absconded from probation and was arrested on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to two years in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release for illegally possessing a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Aaron Leo Ludwig, 30, pleaded guilty in June to felon in possession of a firearm.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on Dec. 22, 2020, law enforcement in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, were looking for Ludwig, who was wanted on a probation hold, and located him at a residence. A female at the residence asked officers if she could get a jacket for Ludwig because of the cold weather, and Ludwig had asked her for a particular jacket. When the female picked up the jacket, she paused and then pulled a gun out of a pocket in the presence of officers. Ludwig looked up at the ceiling. Ludwig initially declined to say how he got the firearm, identified as a 9mm pistol that had been reported stolen in Billings in May 2020. Ludwig later stated the gun was his and that it was “hot.” Ludwig had previous felony convictions, including for a drug offense and for partner or family member assault, and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office and Billings Police Department.
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Havre man admits trafficking methamphetamine, fentanyl and illegal possession of firearmRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Havre man admitted to drug trafficking and firearms crimes today after law enforcement found methamphetamine, fentanyl, a gun and a large amount of cash in his Havre motel room, said Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson.
Brandon Wayne Glover, 38, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and to felon in possession of a firearm. Glover faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug crime.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Glover was detained pending further proceedings. Sentencing was set for Feb. 3, 2022.
The government alleged in court documents that in 2014, Glover was convicted in federal court of possession with intent to distribute meth. In November 2020, law enforcement received information that Glover was distributing meth in Havre, and an informant bought about a half-ounce of meth from Glover at a Havre casino. In December 2020, officers coordinated a stop of Glover’s vehicle and arrested Glover on a warrant based on supervised release violations in his prior federal meth trafficking case. Agents then went to the motel where Glover had been staying, secured his room and applied for a search warrant. In the meantime, agents received recorded jail calls Glover had with his mother after his arrest. In the calls, Glover asked his mother for help retrieving items from the room where he had been staying and specifically asked her to look under the bed. Glover’s mother went to the motel room and was turned away. Agents executed a search warrant for the motel room and found 420 grams, or almost a pound, of meth, a firearm, drug paraphernalia, and fentanyl pills. Agents also found about $12,100 in cash under the bed.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Havre Police Department and the Tri-Agency Task Force.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Distribution of child pornography sends Great Falls man to prison for more than 12 yearsRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls man who admitted to sending child pornography videos to an undercover agent in an online chat room was sentenced today to 12 years and six months in prison to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Joshua Nathan Stillman, 46, pleaded guilty in June to distribution of child pornography.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in November and December 2020, an undercover FBI agent was in an online chat room on an application available to cell phone users. On Nov. 23, 2020, a user in that chat room distributed two videos depicting child pornography to the undercover agent. An investigation determined that Stillman was the user who distributed the videos to the agent, and Stillman admitted that he distributed the videos in the chat room. A search warrant was executed on Stillman’s residence, and law enforcement seized and analyzed Stillman’s cell phone. Stillman’s cell phone contained more than 300 images and videos depicting child pornography.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the FBI and Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation.
This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.
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Billings man sentenced to prison for illegal gun possession while charged with feloniesRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man who was arrested during a disturbance and who admitted to illegally possessing a firearm while having been charged with two felonies was sentenced today to 30 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Joseph Daniel Boggio, 41, pleaded guilty on May 6, 2021, to illegal receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that in January 2020 and again in May 2020, Boggio was charged with two separate felonies of driving while under the influence. Boggio signed his conditions of release, which stated that he “may not possess a firearm, destructive device or other dangerous weapon.” In October 2020, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a disturbance at a Billings residence and found an individual holding down Boggio. Both Boggio and the individual had blood on them. Boggio was arrested and taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Investigators learned from witnesses that Boggio had sent the individual and other occupants threatening messages, had come to the residence, and started fighting with the individual. Boggio was under the influence and threatening to shoot people as he reached behind his back. Another person saw a gun protruding from Boggio’s pants waistband, grabbed it, and secured it in another room. The owner of the firearm advised law enforcement that Boggio had taken the gun without her permission or knowledge.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Missoula before Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris and pleading not guilty on Oct. 4 was:
Joseph Daniel Fox, 29, of Kalispell, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, possession with intent to distribute meth and heroin and possession of a firearm by a user or addict. If convicted of the most serious crime, Fox faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years to life of supervised release. Fox was detained pending further proceedings. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-44.
Appearing in Missoula for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto on Oct. 7 was:
Carlos Guatimea Aguirre, 35, of Fresno, California and Missoula, on charges of prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Aguirre faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Aguirre was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Missoula Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-100.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Oct. 5 was:
Brittany Michele Darnell, 30, of Great Falls, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Darnell faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the fraud counts and a mandatory minimum two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release consecutive to any other sentence. Darnell was released pending further proceedings. The FBI and Great Falls Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-58.
Mickey James Buchholz, 35, of Great Falls, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Buchholz faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the fraud counts and a mandatory minimum two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release consecutive to any other sentence. Buchholz was released pending further proceedings. The FBI and Great Falls Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-58.
Michael James Burke, 42, of Browning, on charges of aggravated sex abuse of a child and abusive sexual contact. If convicted of the most serious crime, Burke faces a maximum life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Burke was released with conditions, including home detention, pending further proceedings. The FBI and the Fort Peck Tribe investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-62.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Oct. 5 was:
Amanda Christine Brown, 33, a transient, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Brown faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Brown was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-25.
Appearing on Oct. 7 was:
Karrie Lynn Madill, 51, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Madill faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Madill was released pending further proceedings. The FBI’s Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-74.
Appearing on Oct. 8 for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint was:
Anthony Ray Morgan, 32, of Billings, on charges of possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Morgan faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Morgan was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-61.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Signal Peak Energy admits violating health, safety regulations at Roundup area coal mineRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – Signal Peak Energy, LLC, which operates an underground coal mine near Roundup, today admitted to criminal charges that it willfully violated health and safety standards and has agreed to pay a $1 million fine as part of proposed plea agreement, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Signal Peak Energy, through a representative, pleaded guilty during an initial appearance and plea hearing to an information charging it with four counts of willful violation of a health and safety standard, a misdemeanor. The maximum penalty is a $250,000 fine.
A plea agreement recommends that a criminal fine of $250,000 for each count of conviction, for a total fine of $1 million, is the appropriate disposition of the case. The parties further agree that a sentence of probation is appropriate. If the court accepts the plea agreement, the company does not have an automatic right to withdraw its guilty pleas. If the court rejects the plea agreement, the company can withdraw its guilty pleas and proceed to trial.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters has not yet been set.
“Signal Peak’s conduct showed a blatant and callous disregard for its own workers’ health and safety and for protecting the environment. Companies that habitually and willfully violate regulations will be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” Acting U.S. Attorney Johnson said.
The Signal Peak Energy prosecution is part of a broad corruption investigation into mine management and operations that resulted in not only worker safety and environmental misdemeanor convictions, but also in individual convictions and charges for some former mine officials and associates for embezzlement, tax evasion, bank fraud, money laundering, drugs and firearms violations.
Individual convictions of former mine officials included Larry Wayne Price, Jr., former vice president of surface operations, who was sentenced to prison for defrauding companies of $20 million; and Zachary Ruble, former surface mine manager, who was sentenced to probation for conspiring to defraud Signal Peak Energy of $2.3 million.
A third former mine official, Dale Lee Musgrave, former vice president of underground operations, has pleaded not guilty to an indictment alleging cocaine trafficking and false statements in mine records and is pending trial.
Associated individual cases include Stephen P. Casher, a former Rocky Mountain Bank loan officer, who was sentenced to prison and fined on bank fraud and money laundering charges for a loan scheme involving Larry Price Jr.; James and Timilynn Kisling, owners of Kisling Quality Builders, who were sentenced to probation and fined for conviction of tax evasion in a scheme involving the construction of Larry Price Jr.’s Billings residence; Mark Luciano, a Nevada resident who was sentenced to prison for conviction on trafficking cocaine; and Todd Alan Irwin, a secretary to Larry Price, Jr., who was sentenced to probation for conviction of felon in possession of firearms.
Robert Wayne Ramsey, owner of Peters Equipment Company, has been charged by an information with wire fraud in an alleged equipment sale scheme involving Signal Peak Energy and is pending arraignment.
In the Signal Peak Energy case, the government alleged in court documents that from 2013 through 2018, Signal Peak Energy habitually violated mandatory health and safety standards in the Mine Safety and Health Act during the mine’s operation. These violations included both environmental safety and worker safety standards. These violations also occurred with the full knowledge, direction and participation of the mine’s most senior management during that period, including the president and CEO, the vice president of surface operations, the vice president of underground operations and the safety manager.
The government further alleged that during the summer of 2013, Signal Peak Energy’s senior managers directed mine employees to improperly dispose of mine waste by pumping the waste into abandoned sections of the mine. This waste, known as “slurry,” consisted of wastewater, industrial chemicals used in the mining process and unprocessed soil containing heavy metals, including arsenic and lead over groundwater tolerances. Mine employees pumped this slurry into the abandoned section of the mine for about two weeks, until the section was full. Disposing mine waste in this manner required approval of both the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which Signal Peak Energy did not obtain.
In the spring of 2015, the government alleged, Signal Peak Energy agents commissioned the drilling of two bore holes through the ground that led to another abandoned section of the mine. Senior mine managers directed employees to pump more slurry into the abandoned section through the bore holes. This slurry was similar to the slurry improperly disposed of in 2013. Estimates vary, but this pumping occurred for up to six weeks. The pumping stopped after a witness discovered that seals between the abandoned mine works and the operating mine had been breached, causing flooding in the areas of the operating mine. Signal Peak Energy obtained a permit to inject water into the ground through the bore holes, but this permit did not allow for the disposal of slurry waste.
In January 2018, Signal Peak Energy failed to report as required the injury of an employee, identified as John Doe 1, who was working at the mine when his finger was crushed and required amputation. Doe 1 was moving large mining equipment as part of his duties when some of this equipment fell onto his hand. Doe 1met with the safety manager, who began driving him to the hospital for medical treatment. On the way, Doe 1 had a telephone conversation with the vice president of underground operations. The vice president of underground operations pressured Doe 1 not to report the injury as work related and said that he would make it worthwhile for Doe 1. The safety manager witnessed this but did not intervene. The safety manager then dropped off Doe 1 at the hospital rather than accompanying him inside pursuant to mine policy. Doe 1 falsely stated that the injury had occurred at home and was not work related. When Doe 1 returned to work sometime later, the vice president of underground operations gave Doe 1 an envelope containing $2,000.
In May 2018, Signal Peak Energy again failed to report an injury as mandated. An employee, identified as John Doe 2, was working in the underground portion of the mine when rock sluffed off the wall and onto Doe 2’s head, causing a severe laceration. The shift manager immediately called the safety manager. The safety manager met Doe 2 and drove Doe 2 away from the mine with the stated intention to take Doe 2 to the hospital. Instead, the safety manager drove Doe 2 home. Doe 2 waited until the next morning to seek medical attention and falsely stated the injury had been caused by a shelf falling on his head in the garage of his home. Doctors treated the laceration and Doe 2 returned to work for his next scheduled shift. Doe 2 was unable to complete the shift or several of the following shifts because of his injuries. Doe 2’s lost time was charged against his vacation leave without his approval.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin M. Rubich, Zeno B. Baucus and Timothy Tatarka are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the IRS, FBI and Environmental Protection Agency.
PACER case reference. 21-79.
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Cut Bank man sentenced for strangulation, assault chargesRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Cut Bank man convicted of strangling and assaulting a woman on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced on Wednesday to 42 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said today.
Gordon Lee Connelly, 20, pleaded guilty in June to strangulation, assault resulting in substantial bodily injury and interstate violation of a protection order.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris also ordered $1,800 restitution.
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that on Feb. 16, Connelly strangled and assaulted the victim, identified as Jane Doe, near Cut Bank, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, causing her substantial injuries. The government further alleged that on March 25, Connelly traveled from the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in order to violate a portion of a protection order that prohibits violence, threats and communication with another person.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.
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Shooting, wounding of pedestrian in Crow Agency sends Lodge Grass man to prison for seven yearsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Lodge Grass man who admitted to shooting and wounding a pedestrian from his vehicle in Crow Agency was sentenced today to seven years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Fabian Cruz Dawes, 31, pleaded guilty in May to an information charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that on April 7, Dawes was parked in a car near a convenience store in Crow Agency, on the Crow Indian Reservation. Dawes then pulled up alongside of the victim, identified as John Doe, who was walking with another person, and had a short conversation. Dawes fired a single 9mm bullet at Doe, striking him in the leg, and drove away at a high rate of speed. Doe was treated for injuries at the Indian Health Services.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and FBI.
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Man sentenced to prison for assaulting dating partner on Fort Belknap Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS -- A man who admitted beating his dating partner on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and causing her substantial injuries was sentenced today to 18 months in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Gordon Andrew Messerly, Jr., 43, address unknown, pleaded guilty in June to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on Dec. 27, 2019 on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Messerly assaulted his dating partner, identified as Jane Doe, by striking her in the head. Doe was treated for injuries at the hospital.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared C. Cobell prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement.
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Assault on Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation sends Ashland man to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — An Ashland man who admitted to assaulting a man, causing multiple head injuries while brandishing a rifle on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, was sentenced today to 48 months imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Channing Lee Ziler, 34, pleaded guilty in April to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that on Dec. 31, 2017, Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officers responded to a 911 call at a residence in Ashland, on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, where people were drinking, including Ziler. Witnesses described Ziler as being violent that night. The victim, identified as John Doe, arrived at the residence with other individuals. Witnesses described Ziler as holding a rifle when Doe arrived and saying, “this looks like someone I can slap around.” Ziler assaulted Doe, resulting in multiple head lacerations.
Ziler took Doe’s truck and left with Doe and another person. Law enforcement received another 911 call that the truck had run out of gas and that the occupants had set it on fire to stay warm in below zero temperatures. Ziler left the scene with the other individual, and law enforcement found Doe by the truck. Doe was taken to a Billings hospital for treatment of injuries.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan T. Dake prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
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Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Sept. 30 was:
Michael Wayne Divis, 58, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious charges, Divis faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Divis was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI’s Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-60.
Aspen Renee Newbreast, 24, a transient, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Newbreast faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug counts and a mandatory minimum five years to life consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm count. Newbreast was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI’s Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 20-35.
Appearing on Sept. 28 was:
Dawan Deonte Jones, 30, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Jones faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Jones was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-55.
Joshua Paul Jordan, 28, of Billings, on charges of accessing with intent to view child pornography. If convicted of the most serious crime, Jordan faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Jordan was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and U.S. Postal Service investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-72.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston on a criminal complaint on Sept. 28 was:
Moises Zamora, 37, of Box Elder, on charges of assault with intent to commit murder and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted of the most serious crime, Zamora faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Zamora was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Rocky Boy’s Police Department and Hill County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-64.
Appearing on an indictment was:
Hiram Wayne Evans, 38, of Great Falls, on charges of failure to register as a sex offender. If convicted of the most serious crime, Evans faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years to life of supervised release. Evans was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-67.
Grant James Lockhart, 50, of Great Falls, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lockhart faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Lockhart was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Great Falls Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-46.
Appearing on an indictment on Sept. 30 was:
Maynard Wayne Bigleggins, 24, of Wolf Point, on charges of sexual assault of a minor and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance to a person under 21 years of age. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bigleggins faces a mandatory minimum one year to 40 years in prison, a $2 million fine and at least six years of supervised release. Bigleggins was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-44.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Great Falls meth trafficker sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls man who admitted to distributing methamphetamine in the community after law enforcement stopped him on his way back from Missoula and found about a half pound of meth in the vehicle was sentenced today to six years and six months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
John Deacon Gundlach, 35, pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute meth.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in May 2020, the Russell Country Drug Task Force received information that Gundlach was distributing meth. Investigators also learned on June 1,2020 that Gundlach was leaving Great Falls to pick up a load of meth, had been in Missoula and was returning to Great Falls. Officers stopped a Chevrolet Tahoe in which Gundlach was a passenger. Gundlach admitted he got meth in Missoula and that it was on floor of the vehicle. Law enforcement found the bag of meth and an analysis determined it contained about 269 grams of meth, or more than half a pound.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Russell Country Drug Task Force and the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Great Falls meth and heroin trafficker sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls woman who admitted to dealing methamphetamine and heroin in the community was sentenced today to 38 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Tammy Lynn Lapie, 56, pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in September 2020, the Russell Country Drug Task Force received information that Lapie was dealing methamphetamine and heroin. During a search of Lapie’s house, officers found both drugs. Officers also seized and searched Lapie’s cell phone and confirmed her involvement in dealing drugs. In February 2021, law enforcement intercepted a package of heroin that Lapie was expecting in the mail and delivered it to Lapie, who took custody of it. Lapie admitted to law enforcement that she sold heroin to a small group of individuals in the community.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Russell Country Drug Task Force.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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