District of Montana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Billings man admits meth trafficking crimesRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Billings man admitted methamphetamine trafficking crimes today after law enforcement officers seized about eight pounds of the drug and three handguns from his vehicle, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Tyler James Fleming, 38, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and to possession with intent to distribute meth. Fleming faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.
Fleming has pleaded not guilty to a count charging him with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and that charge is pending.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. Fleming was detained. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Court documents filed by the prosecution said that in 2019, drug task force officers received information from sources that Fleming was trafficking drugs in the Billings area. In December 2019, investigators learned Fleming had traveled to Arizona and returned two days later. Officers conducted a traffic stop of Fleming's vehicle outside of Miles City and obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. Officers found about 3,700 grams of meth, which is 8.15 pounds and the equivalent of approximately 29,600 doses, drug paraphernalia and three handguns.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Patten is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. 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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U.s. Attorney Kurt Alme Announces $6,243,585 to Assist Victims in MontanaRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme today announced $6,243,585 in Department of Justice grants to assist victims in Montana. The grants, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, are part of almost $1.8 billion distributed to state victim assistance and compensation programs to fund thousands of local victim assistance programs across the country and to provide millions in compensation to victims of crime.
The Office for Victims of Crime, a component of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, flagship formula grant program is supported by the Crime Victims Fund (the Fund), which was established under The Victims of Crime Act. The Fund supports a broad array of programs and services that focus on helping victims in the immediate aftermath of crime and continuing to support them as they rebuild their lives. In FY 2019 alone, VOCA grants served over seven million victims and paid more than $399 million in compensation claims.
“Advocates, service providers, and law enforcement agencies from around the country stand ready to help crime victims exercise their legal rights and reclaim their lives,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “These new funding resources continue this administration’s unprecedented commitment to providing the support necessary for victims of crimes to be able to heal and recover.”
The awards made to organizations in Montana will support local direct victim service programs, including children’s advocacy centers, domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, human trafficking and elder abuse programs, civil legal services, crime victims’ rights enforcement, as well as victim assistance positions in prosecutors’ offices and law enforcement departments.
"These funds support important organizations in Montana providing critical protection and assistance to crime victims. They will also be used to lessen the financial losses experienced by victims. We are pleased these funds are coming to help Montana victims," U.S. Attorney Alme said.
The awards to Montana include the Montana Board of Crime Control, $5,785,585, for Victim Assistance; and the Montana Department of Justice, $458,000, for Victim Compensation.
State victim compensation programs will receive over $133 million to supplement the state funds that offset victims’ financial burdens resulting from crime. This compensation is often extremely vital to victims who face enormous financial setbacks from medical fees, lost income, dependent care, funeral expenses and other costs.
“The services made available by this funding represent a lifeline for tens of thousands of survivors each month, many of whom otherwise would have no place to turn in a moment of profound crisis,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs. “These awards will help service providers, as well as law enforcement agencies and prosecutors’ offices respond to the many emotional and material challenges that crime victims in our country face every day.”
The Fund is financed by fines and penalties paid by convicted federal offenders and does not include tax dollars. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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U.s. Attorney Kurt Alme Announces $1,894,452 to Improve Services for Crime Victims in MontanaRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme today announced $1,894,452 in Department of Justice grants to improve services for crime victims in Montana. The grants, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, are part of over $144 million distributed to enhance the district's response to victims of crime throughout the United States.
“The Department of Justice is steadfast in its commitment to protecting public safety and bringing justice to those who have been victimized,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The investments we are making today will support service providers as they work to secure the legal rights of victims and put survivors of criminal acts on the road to recovery.”
The awards made to organizations in Montana will advance the use of technology, improve community preparedness and law enforcement training and provide emergency and transitional shelter to assist victims of crime. Programs will also support victims of child abuse and fund research projects related to perpetrators and victims of elder abuse. Approximately $64.3 million was awarded under Office for Victims of Crime grant programs; over $54.1 million was awarded under Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention programs; over $19.9 million was awarded under Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking grant programs; and nearly $5.7 million was awarded under two National Institute of Justice grant programs.
"It takes remarkable courage for crime victims to recover and to hold the perpetrators accountable so they harm no more victims. We are very pleased these funds are coming to Montana to provide help and support to our victims," U.S. Attorney Alme said.
“As lockdowns and lawlessness fuel crime in America’s homes and communities, more people are vulnerable to victimization and those who have been victimized face new hurdles,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “The Office of Justice Programs is committed to giving our victim service partners the tools they need to better serve their clients and protect victims’ rights.”
The following organizations in Montana received funding:
- Montana Legal Services Association, $1,000,000
- Montana Board of Crime Control, $500,000
- Chippewa Cree Tribe, $394,452
More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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DOJ Charges 500+ Domestic Violence-Related Firearm Cases in Fy20Read the Press Release
BILLINGS – Today, the Department of Justice announced it has charged more than 500 domestic violence cases involving firearms during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. A Department priority since 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr created the Department of Justice’s first ever-Domestic Violence Working Group, these charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made domestic violence firearms-related investigations a priority.
“Keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous criminal offenders is one of the Department of Justice’s top priorities,” said Attorney General Barr. “This is especially important when it comes to individuals with prior domestic violence convictions. The statistics are clear that when domestic violence offenders have access to guns, their partners and their families are at much greater risk of falling victim to gun violence. In fact, in some communities across America, roughly half of the homicides are related to domestic violence. The Department of Justice is committed to keeping guns out of the hands of those who are prohibited from having them, and we will continue investigating and prosecuting all domestic violence firearms related crimes.”
“According to the CDC, data suggests that about one in six homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner,” said ATF Acting Director Lombardo. “Nearly half of female homicide victims in the U.S. are killed by a current or former male intimate partner. ATF is committed to aggressively pursuing prohibited possession of firearms due to domestic violence convictions and certain protective orders. It is another way we prevent violent gun crime within our communities.”
Of the more than 500 cases charged, nine cases have been brought in Montana, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
"Since COVID arrived, domestic violence has increased in Montana. To protect future victims, it's even more imperative now that we keep firearms out of the hands of abusers," U.S. Attorney Alme said.
Under federal law, individuals with domestic violence misdemeanor and felony convictions, as well as individuals subject to domestic violence protective orders, are prohibited from possessing firearms. The data shows that offenders with domestic violence in their past pose a high risk of homicide. In fact, domestic violence abusers with a gun in the home are five times more likely to kill their partners.
The Working Group, chaired by U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox, of the Northern District of Texas, disseminates legal guidance on keeping guns out of the hands of domestic violence abusers using three federal statutes:
- 18 USC § 922 (g)(1), felon in possession of a firearm
- 18 USC § 922 (g)(9), possession of a firearm by a prohibited person (misdemeanor crime of domestic violence)
- 18 USC § 922 (g)(8), possession of a firearm while subject to a domestic violence protective order
Based on the Working Group’s guidance, in FY 2020, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide brought 337 domestic violence felon-in-possession charges, 54 possession while subject to a protective order charges, and 142 possession by a prohibited person charges.
For more information on domestic violence or to get help, visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline website or call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
###California man sentenced for illegal firearm possessionRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A California man today was sentenced to 30 months in prison after he admitted to illegally possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Darryl Jason Dempsey, 30, of Vacaville, CA, pleaded guilty in June to prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said on June 7, 2019, law enforcement officers came into contact with Dempsey north of Outlook, about one mile south of the Canadian border. Dempsey told officers that his truck was stuck nearby and provided a description of the truck. Dempsey provided a false name and did not have any identification documents. He also had a large amount of cash on his person. Officers took Dempsey to the Border Patrol Station to be identified.
Officers located the truck, and a canine alerted to the presence of drugs. Officers impounded the truck and searched it. Underneath the backseat compartment, an officer found a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol. At the time of the offense, Dempsey was on probation in California for a felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassady Adams prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Border Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sheridan County Sheriff's Office.
This case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative launched in the fall of 2019 to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Through Project Guardian, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Montana is working to enhance coordination of its federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. In addition, Project Guardian supports information sharing and taking action when individuals are denied a firearm purchase by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for mental health reasons or because they are a prohibited person.
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Armed heroin trafficker in Yellowstone County sentenced to seven years in prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Whitefish man who admitted dealing heroin and having firearms for protection in Yellowstone County today was sentenced to seven years in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Joshua John Welliver, 32, pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
The prosecution said in court documents that Montana Department of Family Services caseworkers were at Welliver's residence in November 2019 in Yellowstone County when he became upset and started causing a disturbance. Welliver ran into his garage and began throwing around items. Yellowstone County Sheriff's deputies and Probation and Parole officers responded. Welliver admitted he had drugs and paraphernalia in the residence and that he had a firearm on his person when DFS workers arrived and had hidden it. Welliver showed officers where he had hidden the gun, a 9mm pistol, in the garage. Officers then found 65 grams of heroin hidden in a concealment container insider of Welliver's truck. Officers also located a bolt-action rifle inside a shed on the property.
Welliver admitted to officers he was a heroin dealer and said he had the guns to protect himself because people try to rob dealers if they have a lot of drugs. He also admitted he got the guns by trading heroin for them.
Welliver was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a felony conviction in Flathead County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Godfrey prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative launched in the fall of 2019 to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Through Project Guardian, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Montana is working to enhance coordination of its federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. In addition, Project Guardian supports information sharing and taking action when individuals are denied a firearm purchase by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for mental health reasons or because they are a prohibited person.
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Illegal possession of firearm sends Billings man to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man with a felony record was sentenced today to four years in prison and three years of supervised release after law enforcement officers found a firearm in a running washing machine at his residence, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Sean Craig Rayfield, 29, pleaded guilty in January to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Rayfield was detained.
In court records filed in the case the prosecution said that on July 5, 2019, Billings Police officers responded to a disturbance call at Rayfield's residence. Witnesses said Rayfield was engaged in a fight with individuals at a party and that he was seen possessing a firearm. Days later, law enforcement searched Rayfield's residence. During a search of the laundry room, officers found a firearm in a running washing machine. The firearm was a semi-automatic pistol with an attached laser sight. Rayfield was taken into custody. A co-defendant in the case told officers that Rayfield had purchased the firearm a couple of months earlier. Rayfield was prohibited from possession of firearms and ammunition because of a prior felony conviction in California.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative launched in the fall of 2019 to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Through Project Guardian, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Montana is working to enhance coordination of its federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. In addition, Project Guardian supports information sharing and taking action when individuals are denied a firearm purchase by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for mental health reasons or because they are a prohibited person.
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Finance manager for Great Falls construction company charged with embezzling more than $565,000Read the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – The finance manager for William Tempel Construction today was arraigned on wire fraud charges alleging she stole more than $565,000 through a scheme of false and inflated subcontractor invoices billed to a client, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Lynn Bapp Tempel, 59, pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of wire fraud as charged in an indictment. If convicted of the most serious crime, Tempel faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided. Tempel was released pending further proceedings.
The charging documents are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The indictment alleges that Tempel managed the finances for William Tempel Construction, which entered into a contract to build a $4.41 million residence in Great Falls for a client. Beginning in May 2013, the indictment continues, Tempel inflated invoices from subcontractors on the project and provided those inflated invoices to the client for payment.
The indictment further alleges that Tempel falsified, altered and inflated approximately 153 subcontractor invoices. The alleged inflated invoices resulted in William Tempel Construction receiving about $565,456 from the client to which it was not entitled. During this same timeframe, Tempel withdrew about $566,848 from the company's business account.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Weldon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and the Great Falls Police Department.
PACER case reference. 20-75.
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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Billings methamphetamine trafficker sentenced to 10 years in prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted trafficking methamphetamine after law enforcement officers found the drug and more than $12,000 during a search at his home was sentenced today to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
John Jay Dudik, IV, 67, pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Dudik was allowed to report to prison.
The prosecution said in court records filed in the case that Drug Enforcement Administration agents in March 2019 met with an individual who provided information that a male named Jay was providing large quantities of meth to another person and had pounds of the drug at his residence. The investigation led to a search warrant being executed on March 7, 2019 on Dudik's residence. Dudik was at home and detained during the search. Agents seized meth, which totaled about 144 grams of pure meth, $12,389 in currency from Dudik's safe, $950 from Dudik's person and other drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Dudik told agents he used a lot of meth and usually had an ounce at his house. He said thought he had about one and a half ounces of meth at the time of the search warrant execution. He claimed all of the meth he had was for personal and social use.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Patten prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the DEA.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. 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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Owner of Montana Construction Company Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax FraudRead the Press Release
A Great Falls, Montana, businessman pleaded guilty today to employment tax fraud, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Kurt G. Alme for the District of Montana.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Trennis Baer owned and operated Baer Construction based in Great Falls, Montana. Beginning in 2010 and continuing through 2018, Baer did not file quarterly employment tax returns, nor did he pay employment taxes withheld from his employees’ wages to the IRS. Baer did not meet these legal requirements, despite the fact the company’s outside accountant from at least 2013 on prepared the appropriate employment tax returns and calculated the employment taxes due. In addition to not complying with his employment tax obligations, Baer willfully did not file personal income tax returns for the years 2001 to 2006, 2008, and 2010 to 2018. The total tax loss to the IRS from Baer’s conduct is more than $1.5 million.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris scheduled sentencing for Jan. 28, 2021. At sentencing, Baer faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Baer also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Alme commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Matthew Hoffman and Eric Taffet of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the Division’s website.
Owner of Montana Construction Company Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax FraudRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A Great Falls, Montana, businessman pleaded guilty today to employment tax fraud, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Kurt G. Alme for the District of Montana.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Trennis Baer owned and operated Baer Construction based in Great Falls, Montana. Beginning in 2010 and continuing through 2018, Baer did not file quarterly employment tax returns, nor did he pay employment taxes withheld from his employees’ wages to the IRS. Baer did not meet these legal requirements, despite the fact the company’s outside accountant from at least 2013 on prepared the appropriate employment tax returns and calculated the employment taxes due. In addition to not complying with his employment tax obligations, Baer willfully did not file personal income tax returns for the years 2001 to 2006, 2008, and 2010 to 2018. The total tax loss to the IRS from Baer’s conduct is more than $1.5 million.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris scheduled sentencing for Jan. 28, 2021. At sentencing, Baer faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Baer also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Alme commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Matthew Hoffman and Eric Taffet of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the Division’s website.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Texas man sentenced to prison for trafficking marijuana, cocaine and possessing firearmsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Texas resident to admitted to drug trafficking and firearms crimes after a traffic stop near Bozeman led to a trooper finding marijuana, cocaine and guns in his vehicle was sentenced today to five and one half years in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Anthony Jacob Lugo, 32, of Halingen, Texas, pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Lugo was detained.
In court records filed in the case, the prosecution said a Montana Highway Patrol trooper pulled over Lugo's pickup truck on Interstate 90 near Bozeman on Aug. 28, 2017. The trooper detected a strong odor of raw marijuana coming from the cab. When the trooper had Lugo step out of the vehicle, he saw a pistol in a holster on the driver's seat. A K9 drug dog indicated on the truck, which was seized pending a search warrant.
During a search of the truck, law enforcement found jars of marijuana and cocaine, a drug ledger, a loaded .45-caliber pistol and a short-barreled rifle. Lugo admitted to owning the firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bartleson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Missouri River Drug Task Force and the Montana Highway Patrol.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws, and Project Safe Neighborhoods, the USDOJ’s initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 through 2018. Through these initiatives, 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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Judge convicts Manhattan man of false statement in firearms purchaseRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – A federal judge convicted a Manhattan man of providing false information on a form when trying to buy a firearm, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said today.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, on Oct. 1, found Joshua Rodney Meech, 29, guilty of false statement during a firearms transactions. The one-day bench trial was held on Sept. 28. Sentencing was set for Jan. 21, 2021. Meech was detained.
Meech faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
"Keeping firearms out of the hands of persons with protective orders is essential to keeping intimate partners and children safe, particularly during this pandemic when domestic violence is up. Persons who provide false information on firearms purchase forms will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I want to thank Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee Peterson and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for investigating and prosecuting this case," U.S. Attorney Alme said.
The prosecution presented evidence at trial that Meech attempted to buy a 9mm semi-automatic pistol from Bob Ward & Sons, Inc., in Bozeman on April 4. In court records filed in the case, the prosecution said Meech, while shopping for firearms at the store, completed a Firearms Transaction Report, known at ATF Form 4473, signed and dated the form and provided it to an employee for a background check. A few days later, Bob Ward's was notified that Meech's request had been denied.
Meech had checked a box on the form that he was not subject to a court order restraining him from harassing, stalking, or threatening his child, and intimate partner or the child of such a partner. On Jan. 10, the District Court in Gallatin County issued a temporary restraining order against Meech directing him not to commit any acts of violence or harass, threaten, abuse or stalk the petitioner, now his ex-wife, and three minor children. The parties agreed to a Stipulated Order of Protection, which was signed by Meech and his attorney, on Feb. 26. The Stipulated Order was to remain in effect until the parties mutually agreed to dissolve it or upon further order of the court. The Stipulated Order included the statement, "Federal law provides penalties for possessing, transporting, shipping or receiving any firearm or ammunition."
The Stipulated Order was terminated on May 20 by a motion from the petitioner.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee Peterson is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative launched in the fall of 2019 to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Through Project Guardian, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Montana is working to enhance coordination of its federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. In addition, Project Guardian supports information sharing and taking action when individuals are denied a firearm purchase by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for mental health reasons or because they are a prohibited person.
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Former Billings coal mining official sentenced to prison for $20 million wire fraud scheme, false kidnappingRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A former Billings coal mining official who admitted defrauding companies of more than $20 million and lying to investigators about being kidnapped was sentenced today to five years in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Larry Wayne Price, Jr., 40, pleaded guilty in December 2018 to three counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and false official statement.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Price was released and allowed to report to prison.
Restitution will be determined at a later date.
"The defendant's crimes resulted in staggering financial losses and harm to many people, including some who lost their entire life's savings, all so he could live in luxury. Today's sentence is a warning to anyone considering looking for 'easy money' from others: You will be caught and you will go to prison. This case also serves as a reminder to all investors to be sure to do thorough due diligence before investing," U.S. Attorney Alme said.
The prosecution said in court documents that from October 2016 until April 2018, Price embezzled about $20,321,134 from three coal-related companies. Price was vice president of surface activities at Signal Peak Energy and also operated a private business called 3 Solutions, LLC, whose primary purpose was to supply chemicals to Signal Peak Energy.
Price defrauded three coal-mining related firms: Ninety M, LLC, a Wyoming company of investors looking to invest in coal mining projects; Three Blind Mice, LLC, another Wyoming company with investors seeking to invest in mining; and Signal Peak Energy.
Based on his reputation as a coal mining expert, Price convinced Three Blind Mice to lend him $7.5 million, saying that 3 Solutions had a contract with a Pennsylvania coal company to install coal mining equipment. Price proposed that Three Blind Mice lend him the $7.5 million for expenses, and he would repay $11 million on Jan. 31, 2018. Three Blind Mice signed an unsecured promissory note and wired 3 Solutions the funds. Price defaulted on the loan. There was no contract between 3 Solutions and a Pennsylvania coal mine. Instead, Price spent the $7.5 million on unrelated expenses.
In another scheme, Price convinced Ninety M’s investors to appoint him as a company representative to help it buy and develop a coal mining property in Tazewell, VA, and to help develop other coal-related ventures. Price engaged in a series deals with other companies on behalf of Ninety M in which he solicited about $13.5 million from the firm, of which $10,475,000 was fraudulently obtained.
Meanwhile, as an employee of Signal Peak Energy, Price fraudulently induced the company to buy coal-related equipment from a firm knowing that the firm would not actually provide the equipment. The firm funneled the money to Price through a bank account registered to 3 Solutions. The scheme defrauded Signal Peak Energy of about $2,396,134.
In April 2018, the Ninety M investors began to question some of the transactions involving Price and had confronted him on the telephone. By then, Price had moved back to Virginia, his former residence.
On April 18, 2018, Price learned Ninety M was sending representatives to confront him about the fraudulent transactions. Price contacted a woman he knew and agreed to hide at a house the woman had rented.
The same day, Price’s wife reported him missing to Virginia authorities and local law enforcement responded. Late that night, Price was located on the side of the road in Gratton, VA., and was taken to a hospital for treatment and released.
In statements to law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and IRS, Price falsely claimed he had been kidnapped by men who may have been associated with an outlaw motorcycle gang. Price claimed the men took him in a van, threatened him and threw him from the moving vehicle onto the side of the road.
Price knew his statements about his alleged kidnapping were false and that he was not abducted by anyone. The false statements cost the government significant investigative resources and hampered the investigation into Price’s own wrongdoing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin Rubich, Zeno Baucus and Tim Tatarka, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Ramseyer, of the Western District of Virginia, prosecuted the case. The FBI, IRS and the Montana State Auditor investigated the case.
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Wolf Point woman sentenced for trafficking pain pills on Fort Peck Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Wolf Point woman who admitted selling large quantities of the pain medication, oxycodone, on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 15 months in prison and two years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Jennifer Lee Marie Walkingeagle, 30, pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said Walkingeagle's vehicle was stopped for speeding on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation on April 30, 2019. Walkingeagle told the trooper she did not have a license and provided a false name. The trooper ticketed Walkingeagle and allowed one of the passengers to drive the vehicle.
The trooper subsequently learned Walkingeagle's true identity and that she had an active tribal court warrant. The trooper found the vehicle in a driveway of a residence, conducted an investigation on scene and searched the vehicle with Walkingeagle's consent. The officer found 251 oxycodone pills and other items in the vehicle.
Walkingeagle admitted during an interview to traveling to Williston, N.D., to meet her drug supplier, who was traveling by train from Chicago. Walkingeagle distributed oxycodone pills on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation from January 2019 to May 2019.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassady Adams prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice, and Montana Highway Patrol.
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Bozeman doctor admits unlawful drug dispensing at weight loss clinicsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Bozeman doctor today admitted charges that he illegally dispensed appetite suppressant drugs at two weight loss clinics in Bozeman and Billings, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Dr. Ronald M. Buss, 71, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with two counts of unlawful dispensing and distribution of controlled substances by registrant, a misdemeanor. Buss faces a maximum one year in prison, a $100,000 fine and one year of supervised release on each count.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. Buss was released pending further proceedings. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Court documents filed by the prosecution said that in 2009, Buss became the medical director for Go Figure, a weight loss clinic in Bozeman, and a year later became the director for Go Figure in Billings. Buss is registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration and is authorized to dispense controlled substances. His registration number has been used at the two Go Figure clinics for controlled substance prescriptions.
Go Figure has prescribed three types of weight loss drugs: Phendimetrazine and Benzphetamine, both Schedule III controlled substances, and Phentermine, a Schedule IV controlled substance. These drugs are amphetamine-based and intended for short-term use. The drugs also are indicated only for severely overweight or obese individuals and may be contraindicated for people with some health conditions.
In August 2016, the Billings DEA received information from a pharmacist that Go Figure was illegally dispensing these three controlled appetite suppressants from its clinic. In July 2016, Buss began pre-signing prescriptions for Go Figure staff to complete. Go Figure had no medically trained staff other than Buss. An employee at the Billings clinic told investigators Buss pre-signed prescriptions for new and current clients, and that staff would choose one of the three drugs, its strength, directions for use and complete the written prescription. Patients paid $50 per week to be weighed, have their blood pressure taken and receive a prescription for one week's worth of the selected drug.
At the Bozeman clinic, an employee told law enforcement that she was a "consultant," met with patients and prescribed controlled substances on blank, pre-signed prescriptions from Buss. Staff repeatedly questioned the practice but were continually assured Go Figure had special permission to do so and that it was legal. In addition, the employee said that from 2009 to 2016, the Bozeman clinic was dispensing the appetite suppressants directly from the clinic without issuing written prescriptions.
Clinic employees further said Buss did not meet many of the patients for months or years after they began taking the drugs. In some instances, Buss never saw the patients at all. Patients confirmed to DEA investigators that they rarely, if ever, met with Buss.
When interviewed, Buss admitted to investigators to pre-signing blank prescriptions and not seeing patients until after they started taking the drugs. Buss claimed that was only way to run the practice effectively.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla Painter is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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U.s. Attorney Kurt Alme Announces Awards of $9 Million in Grants to Improve Public Safety, Serve Crime Victims in Montana's Tribal CommunitiesRead the Press Release
BILLINGS— U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme today announced $9,061,668 in Department of Justice grants to improve public safety, serve victims of crime and support youth programs in tribal communities in Montana.
“American Indian and Alaska Native communities experience rates of violent crime and domestic abuse that are among the highest in the nation,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The awards announced today underscore the Department of Justice’s deep commitment to improving public safety in tribal communities throughout the United States. This administration will continue to work closely with our tribal partners to guarantee that they have the resources they need to combat violence and bring criminals to justice.”
"Our American Indian neighbors deserve to be safe. Methamphetamine, alcohol and now COVID-19 are causing significant violence in our tribal communities. We are very pleased that these funds are going directly to our tribal governments to enhance public safety and protect women and other victims of crime," U.S. Attorney Alme said.
A total of more than $103 million is being awarded to tribes across the country under the Justice Department’s Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation. CTAS supports activities that enhance law enforcement and tribal justice practices, expand victim services and sustain crime prevention and intervention efforts. CTAS grants are administered by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs ($41.5 million), Office on Violence Against Women ($39.1 million) and Office of Community Oriented Policing Services ($22.5 million).
Montana tribes receiving CTAS grants totaling $5,024,552 are the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation, $683,864; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, $3,024,726; and the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, $1,315,962.
An additional $113 million is being awarded to 133 applicants nationwide under the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program. This program, managed by OJP’s Office for Victims of Crime, is designed to help tribes develop, expand and improve services to victims of crime and promote other public safety initiatives.
Montana tribes receiving Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program grants totaling $4,037,116 are the Crow Tribe, $898,003; Fort Belknap Indian Community, $694,698; Chippewa Cree Tribe, $478,311; Blackfeet Tribe, $1,188,088; and the Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes, $778,016.
“Public safety officials and victim service providers in Indian country face exceptional challenges, but they bring to their work an extraordinary array of skills and resources that enable them to meet and overcome any obstacle,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “The Office of Justice Programs is proud to help fulfill Attorney General Barr's strong commitment – and the federal government's long-standing responsibility – to our tribal partners in the matter of their citizens' safety and wellbeing.”
In addition to the CTAS and Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside awards, the Office on Violence Against Women is making additional tribal awards of more than $31 million to support a wide range of efforts to address the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking.
“OVW’s funding supports Native American and Alaska Native communities as they work across their communities to prevent and respond to gender based violence,” said OVW Principal Deputy Director Laura L. Rogers. “These awards represent the strong commitment that OVW has made to help protect the most vulnerable members of tribal communities.”
Additional awards to support tribal public safety efforts are being made by OJP and the COPS Office. These grants will provide community policing training and other training and technical assistance. Awards will also address the needs of tribal youth, fund tribal reentry efforts, help tribes combat substance abuse and manage sex offenders, and support tribal research. In addition, funds support efforts in 17 tribal communities to address the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
“Ensuring our nation’s tribal communities have the resources they need is paramount for the COPS Office and the Department of Justice,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith. “These awards are a critical component to the overall public safety strategy for tribal law enforcement and the COPS Office is honored to provide vital resources to hire more sworn officer positions, advance tribal training and procure equipment needed to keep communities safe.”
A full listing of all the announced CTAS awards is available here.
A full listing of all Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program awards is available here.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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Nevada man sentenced in methamphetamine trafficking caseRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Nevada man convicted of trafficking methamphetamine after an investigation in which he distributed the drug during an undercover purchase was sentenced today to five years in prison and four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
After a two-day trial in November, a jury found Ryan McGuire, 39, of Mound House, Nevada, guilty of conspiracy to distribute meth and distribution of meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
At trial, the prosecution presented evidence that DEA agents learned in May 2016 that a Billings woman, Angela Killen, was selling pills. In September 2016, an undercover agent met with Killen, who indicated she could introduce him to a source for meth. The agent purchased hydromorphone pills from Killen and paid a referral fee for Killen to introduce him to her meth source.
Later in September 2016, undercover agents returned to Killen’s residence and bought about 26 grams of meth from Killen and McGuire. McGuire pulled a package of meth from his jacket and passed it to Killen, who then gave it to one of the agents. The other agent paid Killen $2,200 for the meth. The investigation also showed that McGuire’s phone was in contact with Killen’s phone on the dates leading up to the meth deal as well as on the day of the transaction.
Killen was convicted in the investigation and sentenced to seven years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassady Adams prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. 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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National health care fraud and opioid takedown results in charges against 345 defendants responsible for more than $6 billion in lossesRead the Press Release
BILLNGS — The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana, along with the U.S. Department of Justice, today announced historic national health care fraud and opioid enforcement actions as part of an investigation that includes the indictments of two Montana nurse practitioners accused of participating in a telemedicine scheme to defraud Medicare of almost $10 million.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt, of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, said the action involves 345 charged defendants across 51 federal districts, including more than 100 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals.
These defendants have been charged with submitting more than $6 billion in false and fraudulent claims to federal health care programs and private insurers, including more than $4.5 billion connected to telemedicine, more than $845 million connected to substance abuse treatment facilities, or “sober homes,” and more than $806 million connected to other health care fraud and illegal opioid distribution schemes across the country.
“This nationwide enforcement operation is historic in both its size and scope, alleging billions of dollars in healthcare fraud across the country,” said Acting Assistant Attorney Rabbitt. “These cases hold accountable those medical professionals and others who have exploited health care benefit programs and patients for personal gain. The cooperative law enforcement actions announced today send a clear deterrent message and should leave no doubt about the department’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of patients and the integrity of health care benefit programs, even amid a national health emergency.”
The largest amount of alleged fraud loss charged in connection with the cases announced today – $4.5 billion in allegedly false and fraudulent claims submitted by more than 86 criminal defendants in 19 judicial districts – relates to schemes involving telemedicine: the use of telecommunications to provide health care services remotely.
According to court documents, certain defendant telemedicine executives allegedly paid doctors and nurse practitioners to order unnecessary durable medical equipment, genetic and other diagnostic testing, and pain medications, either without any patient interaction or with only a brief telephonic conversation with patients they had never met or seen. Durable medical equipment companies, genetic testing laboratories, and pharmacies then purchased those orders in exchange for illegal kickbacks and bribes and submitted false and fraudulent claims to Medicare and other government insurers.
The continued focus on prosecuting health care fraud schemes involving telemedicine builds on the efforts and impact of the 2019 “Operation Brace Yourself” Telemedicine and Durable Medical Equipment Takedown, which resulted in an estimated cost avoidance of more than $1.5 billion in the amount paid by Medicare for orthotic braces in the 17 months following that takedown.
Two Montana indictments unsealed today separately charge nurse practitioners Mark Allen Hill, 54, of Edenburg, N.D., and whose address of record for participation in the Medicare program was Cut Bank, and Janae Nichole Harper, 33, of Kalispell and formerly of Billings, with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and health care fraud. Each defendant is accused of receiving money to sign unnecessary brace orders, often without ever talking to the Medicare beneficiary to determine whether the braces were medically necessary.
The indictment charging Hill alleges he signed fraudulent medical orders for braces resulting in more than $10 million in claims to Medicare, of which the government paid more than $5 million. Similarly, the indictment charging Harper alleges she signed fraudulent medical orders for braces resulting in more than $8 million in claims to Medicare, of which the government paid more than $4 million.
If convicted of the most serious crimes, Hill and Harper face a maximum 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Arraignments for Hill and Harper are set for Oct. 27 in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Kakuk and Robyn N. Pullio, trial attorney, Fraud Section, Criminal Division of the Justice Department. Pacer case reference numbers: 20-67 and 20-65.
Today’s enforcement actions were led and coordinated by the Criminal Division, Fraud Section’s Health Care Fraud Unit, in conjunction with its Health Care Fraud and Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force program, and its core partners, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, HHS-OIG, FBI, and DEA, as part of the department’s ongoing efforts to combat the devastating effects of health care fraud and the opioid epidemic. The cases announced today are being prosecuted by Health Care Fraud and ARPO Strike Force teams from the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, along with 43 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide, and agents from HHS-OIG, FBI, DEA, and other various federal and state law enforcement agencies.
The following documents related to today’s announcement are available on the Criminal Division, Fraud Section’s Health Care Fraud Unit website through the following links:
- Graphics, Images and Resources: https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/hcf-2020-takedown/graphics-images-resources
- Case Descriptions: https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/hcf-2020-takedown/case-descriptions
- Court Documents: https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/hcf-2020-takedown/court-documents
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Box Elder man sentenced to 10 years in prison for sex with minor girl on Rocky Boy's Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder man who admitted having sex with a minor girl and to recording the activity on his cell phone was sentenced today to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Christopher Brown, 32, pleaded guilty in June to possession of child pornography and to sexual abuse of a minor.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
"The defendant not only subjected this child to repeated sexual abuse for his own gratification, but he also filmed the act of exploiting the child for his own gratification. The sentence in this case should serve as a warning that those who traumatize our children will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," U.S. Attorney Alme said.
The prosecution said in court documents that from July 2018 to January 2020, Brown had sex with a minor girl on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation. On Jan. 2, 2020, Brown video recorded himself having sex with the victim and kept that video on his cell phone. Brown began messaging the victim on social media when she was 11 years old.
In an interview with the FBI, Brown admitted he had been in a sexual relationship with the victim since 2018 and had had intercourse with her six times. Brown also admitted to making a video of a recent sexual encounter with the victim and that the video was on his cell phone.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Cobell prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services.
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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. 22 was:
Robert Maurice LaCroix, 53, 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 crime, LaCroix faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. LaCroix was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 20-55.
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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Judge convicts Browning man of sexually abusing minor girlRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris on Tuesday convicted a Browning man of sexually abusing a minor girl on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said today.
After a one-day bench trial on Tuesday, Judge Morris found Justin Zane Gobert, 38, guilty of abusive sexual contact. Gobert faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years of supervised release.
Judge Morris set sentencing for Jan. 21, 2021. Gobert was released on conditions including location monitoring.
"Too many children are the victims of sexual abuse. This child should have grown up like other children, thinking about school, family and friends, and optimistic about the world and her future. Instead, actions like the defendant’s traumatize their victims, and they need to be held accountable, as the defendant was yesterday. I want to thank Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley, the FBI and the Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services for investigating and prosecuting this case," U.S. Attorney Alme said.
The prosecution said in court documents filed in the case that Gobert sexually abused a minor girl, who was under the age of 12, in June 2017. The abuse occurred in a residence on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services
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Great Falls man admits child pornography chargesRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Great Falls man accused of downloading and sharing child pornography with his cell phone admitted criminal charges today, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Derek Wallace Johnson, 41, pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography and to receipt of child pornography. Johnson faces a minimum mandatory five years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Sentencing is set for Jan. 21, 2021. Johnson was detained.
The prosecution said in court documents that in October 2019, Homeland Security Investigations in Great Falls received information that a suspect had uploaded possible child pornography in April 2019. An investigation determined that the uploaded image depicted a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct and led to Johnson as the suspect. Investigators served a search warrant on Johnson's residence. Johnson, who was present for the search, told officers he had lost his cell phone a few days earlier, but an agent found it hidden between the box spring and mattress in Johnson's bedroom.
After initially being untruthful, Johnson admitted he had participated in online activity involving child pornography and admitted to hiding his phone. He also said he had about 1,000 videos and images of child pornography in an encrypted app on his phone. Johnson told officers he downloaded child pornography in Kik chat rooms and shared files with others seeking images in chat rooms.
Agents searched Johnson's phone and determined it contained child pornography images. Johnson distributed child pornography in April 2019 and had downloaded or received child pornography from December 2016 to November 2019.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee Peterson is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and the Great Falls Police Department.
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Billings man sentenced to prison for trafficking meth in Missoula, Great FallsRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Billings man who admitted distributing methamphetamine in Missoula and Great Falls was sentenced today to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
William Walton Hanson Jr., 41, also known as "JR," pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute meth.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said that in December 2018, a Missoula County Sheriff's Office detective received information that Hanson was traveling to Missoula from Washington with drugs. The detective was aware that Hanson was known to be involved in meth distribution and that Hanson had an active arrest warrant. Missoula police conducted a traffic stop and arrested Hanson on the warrant. Officers obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and found approximately 125 grams of meth. Through the investigation, officers learned that Hanson was involved in trafficking meth in Missoula and Great Falls from about December 2018 to February 2019.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassady Adams prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Missoula County Sheriff's Office, Missoula Police Department and Great Falls Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. 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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Big Sandy couple sentenced to prison for trafficking meth on Rocky Boy's Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Big Sandy couple who admitted distributing methamphetamine on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation today were sentenced to prison terms, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Clayton Gary Bailey, 48, was sentenced to 57 months in prison and five years of supervised release. Bailey's wife, Brigitte Ann Bailey, 44, was sentenced to 44 months in prison and five years of supervised release. Each pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute meth.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The prosecution said in court documents that on Sept. 12, 2019, officers with Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement made a traffic stop on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation of a vehicle driven by Clayton Bailey, who was wanted on a tribal court warrant. Officers also knew that Clayton Bailey had been identified by sources as a supplier of illegal drugs. Brigitte Bailey was a passenger. Clayton Bailey was arrested on the warrant and Brigitte Bailey was transported off the reservation. Officers impounded and searched the vehicle. Law enforcement found a glass jar and two plastic baggies that contained a total of about 66 grams of meth. On the driver-side floor, officers found a machete, a small hatchet, a knife and a small taser.
Clayton Bailey admitted to officers that he owned the meth and a small amount of heroin also found in the vehicle and that he had been selling drugs in the area for multiple months. Brigitte Bailey admitted to being involved in trafficking meth. She disputed the amount of meth found in the vehicle but agreed she had intended to distribute it.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Plaut prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement and Tri-Agency Drug Task Force.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. 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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Wolf Point man admits distributing meth on Fort Peck Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Wolf Point man accused of selling meth in a casino on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation admitted methamphetamine trafficking charges today, U.S.
Attorney Kurt Alme said.Chance Justin Redstone, also known as CJ Redstone, 35, pleaded guilty to distribution of meth. Redstone 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. Judge Morris set sentencing for Jan. 14, 2021. Redstone was released.
The prosecution said in court documents that during investigations into drug trafficking on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in 2018 and 2019, Redstone was identified by cooperating witnesses as a meth dealer. In April 2018, law enforcement arranged for a confidential source to buy meth from Redstone. Redstone and the confidential source met inside the Silver Wolf casino in Wolf Point where the confidential source bought meth from Redstone and then left the business. The meth purchased from Redstone totaled about 13 grams.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassady Adams is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. 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 U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Sept. 15 was:
Jordan Paul Owens, 20, of Evergreen, on charges of false statement in firearms transaction. If convicted of the most serious crime, Owens faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Owens was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the Case. Pacer case reference. 20-29.
William Allen Rorvik, 39, of Missoula, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Rorvik faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Rorvik was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Montana Highway Patrol, and Montana Department of Corrections Probation and Parole investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-23.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Sept. 15 was:
Dakoda Blu Wade Iron Shirt, 27, of Browning, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Iron Shirt faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. Iron Shirt was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI and Big Sky Safe Trails Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-68.
Taylor Gardipee Walker, 22, of Harlem, on charges of involuntary manslaughter. If convicted of the most serious crime, Walker faces a maximum eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Walker was released pending further proceedings. The FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-54.
Brian John Loven, 41, of Missoula, on charges of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Loven faces a maximum five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Loven was released pending further proceedings. The FBI and Great Falls Police Department investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-33.
Kathleen Elizabeth Francis, 53, of Lewistown; Amber Rachelle Carr, 35, of Lewistown; and Shirley Ann Adcock, 73, of Bakersfield, CA, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, the defendants face a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. All defendants were released pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-53.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Sept. 14 was:
Eric Richard Morrow, 36, of Jordan, on charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Morrow faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Morrow was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Postal Service investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-97.
Appearing on Sept. 15 was:
Melvin Louis Weasel Boy, 46, Billings, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Weasel Boy faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Weasel Boy was released pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-62.
Appearing on Sept. 17 was:
Dale Lee Musgrave, 50, of Pompeys Pillar, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to submit false statements in mine records, false statements in mine records and false statement. If convicted of the most serious crime, Musgrave faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 19-159.
Robert James Miller, 49, of Billings, and Isabellita Anne Isis, 43, 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, the defendants face a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. The defendants were released pending further proceedings. The FBI Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-96.
Leland Thomas Ash Jr., 26, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ash faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Ash was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-87.
Gregory William Knows His Gun, 37, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Knows His Gun faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Knows His Gun was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-93.
Marvin Charles Hurd, 27, of Billings, on charges of possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hurd faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-94.
If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Laurel man charged with COVID-19 relief fraud in connection with Paycheck Protection ProgramRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Laurel man was arraigned today on an indictment alleging he attempted to illegally obtain $35,000 from the Paycheck Protection Program, a federal loan program created through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help businesses struggling with the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said today.
Matthew Jason Welch, 38, pleaded not guilty to two counts of wire fraud as charged in an indictment filed on Aug. 21. An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
The indictment against Welch is the first PPP fraud case to be charged in Montana.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. Welch was released pending further proceedings.
The indictment alleges Welch attempted to unjustly enrich himself by submitting an application on April 23 to obtain a PPP loan under false and misleading pretenses by making false statements about his criminal history. It is also alleged he intended to use the loan proceeds to pay for restitution and other costs related to pending criminal cases against him. The indictment further alleges that Welch, in the name of Welch Sole Proprietorship, sought $35,000 in PPP funds to support payroll, lease and mortgage-interest costs and utility costs and that he falsely certified he was not subject to criminal charges.
The U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Secret Service investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-103.
The progress of this case may be monitored regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Harlem man sentenced to prison for beating, strangling woman on Fort Belknap Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Harlem man who admitted beating and strangling a woman on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 51 months in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Douglas Floyd Main, 33, pleaded guilty in May to domestic abuse by habitual offender.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said Main beat and strangled a dating partner in November 2019 at a residence in Fort Belknap Agency, on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Main had two prior convictions of abuse of a family member in 2007 and 2015 in Fort Belknap Tribal Court.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Cobell prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services.
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California trafficker sentenced to prison for providing meth sent in piñata, peanut butter jar to the Fort Peck Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A California man who admitted to trafficking meth for supplying almost two pounds of the drug, which was hidden in a peanut butter jar and a piñata and mailed to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, was sentenced today to six years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Don Fred Baldwin, 47, of Merced, CA, pleaded guilty in May to distribution of meth.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided.
The prosecution said in court documents that Baldwin, through another person, mailed a package on Nov. 7, 2019 from California to Brockton, located on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Law enforcement officers intercepted the package, obtained a search warrant and found meth hidden inside a jar of peanut butter and a piñata. The amount of meth totaled about 776 grams, which is 1.7 pounds and the equivalent of approximately 6,208 doses. Baldwin provided the meth to the other individual, who mailed the drug.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassady Adams prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Fort Peck Tribal Criminal Investigators and the Merced, CA, Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. 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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Eureka man admits trafficking meth, heroinRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – A Eureka man today admitted a drug trafficking crime after law enforcement found methamphetamine, heroin and firearms at his residence, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Tracy Eugene Conard, 50, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Conard faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Conard was released pending further proceedings. Sentencing was set for Jan. 8, 2021.
The prosecution said in court documents that in October 2019, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office was investigating Conard and officers conducted a controlled buy in which an informant bought meth from Conard. The investigation led to law enforcement obtaining a search warrant for Conard's residence. Officers found 53.6 grams of meth, 9.9 grams of black tar heroin and numerous firearms and ammunition.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Clark is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. 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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Methamphetamine dealer sentenced to seven years in prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Hardin man who admitted selling methamphetamine during an undercover buy that occurred near the Billings Public Library was sentenced today to seven years in prison and four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Charles Anthony Sloan, 32, pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and to distribution of meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
Court records filed by the prosecution said that on May 10, 2019, a confidential source advised a drug task force officer that Sloan was willing to sell an ounce of meth for $800. The task force arranged for a sale in which an undercover agent assisted. The transaction took place in a vehicle parked on North 29th Street, near the Billings Public Library. Sloan entered the vehicle, which was occupied by the undercover agent and confidential source, and called his source to arrange for the delivery of one ounce of meth for $900. The source arrived, and supplied Sloan with the meth. Sloan kept a small amount and sold the rest to the undercover agent for $800. Sloan also offered the confidential source a small amount of meth for setting up the deal. A Drug Enforcement Agency laboratory determined that the meth totaled 25.5 grams of pure meth.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the DEA.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. 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 U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Sept. 8 was:
Gregory Briar Schoenwald, 33, of Dillon, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Schoenwald faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Schoenwald was detained pending further proceedings.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Montana Probation and Parole investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-20.
Andrew Leroy Moosman, 31, of Stevensville, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Moosman faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Moosman was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Missoula Police Department and Montana Probation and Parole investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-31.
Appearing on Sept. 10 was:
Ricardo Lopez Medina, 47, of Mexico, on charges of illegal reentry of a removed alien. If convicted of the most serious crime, Medina faces a maximum two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Medina was detained pending further proceedings. The Department of Homeland Security's Enforcement and Removal Operations, Belgrade Police Department and Gallatin County Sheriff's Office investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-26.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Sept. 9 was:
Jason Avery Mattson, 29, of Browning, on charges of second degree murder and kidnapping. If convicted of the most serious crime, Mattson faces life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Mattson was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-55.
Appearing on Sept. 9 was:
Jeffrey Robert Igoe, 60, a transient, on charges of possession of a stolen firearm, receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment and unlawful taking of a firearm from a licensed dealer. If convicted of the most serious crime, Igoe faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Igoe was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Helena Police Department investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-8.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Sept. 8 was:
Laurie Ann Stookey, 56, of Billings, 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, Stookey faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Stookey was released pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the FBI's Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-100.
Appearing on Sept. 10 was:
Casey Conrad Nixon, 42, of Billings, on charges of false statement during a firearms transaction. If convicted of the most serious crime, Nixon faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Nixon was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-85.
Jamel Akeem Scott, 35, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Scott faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Scott was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-99.
Robert Lowell Takesenemy, Jr., 37, of Lame Deer, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Takesenemy faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Takesenemy was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-41.
Bernadine Joseph Lone Elk, Jr., 25, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of a stolen firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lone Elk faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Lone Elk was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-95.
If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Ex-Indian Health Services doctor admits conflict of interest chargesRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A former Indian Health Services doctor who worked in Browning today admitted charges of conflict of interest for using his job to prescribe a diabetes drug from a pharmacy in exchange for kickbacks, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Dr. Arnold Scott Devous, 68, of Billings, pleaded guilty to federal medical officer with conflict of interest. Devous faces a maximum five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Devous was released. Sentencing was set for Dec. 10.
In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said that Devous, who was a medical officer for the IHS in Browning and in charge of its diabetes program, used his position to prescribe Farxiga, a Type 2 diabetes medication. Farxiga was not on the IHS formulary and could not be obtained at the facility. From December 2015 until June 2016, Devous solicited multiple pharmacies in Montana to fill expensive prescriptions of Farxiga in exchange for Devous receiving a "cut" of the profits and kickbacks. Government personnel are prohibited from engaging in these types of relationships.
Ultimately, a pharmacy agreed to Devous' terms and the amount of money paid to the doctor totaled $45,540 in approximately six months. Devous first hid the kickbacks by sending the money to his wife, and then he used a prospective business associate. Neither of these options was allowable under the law. When interviewed, Devous admitted that his wife received the money, which was illegal. Devous also admitted he never informed his superiors of the outside income as required by law.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Weldon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
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Canada resident sentenced for attempting to smuggle firearms from United States into CanadaRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Canada resident today was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and one year of supervised release after he admitted trying to smuggle firearms into Canada from the United States, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Colby Stephan Skolseg, 44, of Alberta, was arraigned, pleaded guilty to attempted illegal export as charged in a superseding indictment and was sentenced during the hearing.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The prosecution said in court documents filed in the case that in September 2010, Skolseg and an accomplice attempted to illegally export eight handguns from Montana into Canada. The firearms had obliterated serial numbers and were hidden in an aquarium cooler. The plan was to resell the handguns in Canada. Canadian law enforcement was able to restore the serial numbers.
Two years later, Skolseg and his accomplice resumed their handgun smuggling and used websites instead of making personal trips to the United States. The pair illegally exported 25 additional handguns from West Virginia into Calgary through varying shipments.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Montana Department of Justice, Department of Motor Vehicle Licensing Services; the Canada Border Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police forensic lab and investigations divisions.
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Billings man admits strangulation of woman on Crow Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Billings man accused of strangling a woman at a Crow Agency residence admitted assault charges today, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Sean Evan Thomas Bad Bear, 29, pleaded guilty to assault by strangulation of an intimate partner and dating partner. Bad Bear faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. Bad Bear was released pending further proceedings.
The prosecution said in court documents that the assault occurred on Feb. 19, 2019 at a Crow Agency residence on the Crow Indian Reservation. Bad Bear assaulted the victim and placed her in a choke hold. The victim lost consciousness because she could not breathe.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeanne Torske is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Attorney General William P. Barr and Acting Administrator Timothy J. Shea Announce Results of Operation Crystal ShieldRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Today, Attorney General William P. Barr and Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Administrator Timothy J. Shea announced the results of Operation Crystal Shield, a DEA–led effort targeting the command and control elements of Mexican cartels that operate major methamphetamine “transportation hubs” throughout the United States.
At a press conference in Phoenix, Arizona, Attorney General Barr and Acting Administrator Shea announced that in the first six months, Operation Crystal Shield generated more than 750 investigations, resulting in nearly 1,840 arrests, and the seizures of more than 28,560 pounds of methamphetamine, $43.3 million in drug proceeds, and 284 firearms.
“Methamphetamine is a brutal drug linked to violent crime and responsible for far too many fatal overdoses,” said Attorney General Barr. “The astounding results of Operation Crystal Shield clearly demonstrate the commitment by the DEA and our state and local partners to prevent this deadly drug from reaching the streets of our communities. Prosecuting individuals who traffic these poisons remains a top priority for President Trump and the entire Department of Justice.”
“In the months leading up to the launch of Operation Crystal Shield, communities across the United States experienced a surge of methamphetamine,” said Acting Administrator Shea. “The COVID pandemic locked down many communities and impacted legitimate businesses, but the drug trade continued. Under difficult conditions, DEA – along with our federal, state, and local partners – never stopped working as we helped stem the flow of methamphetamine onto our streets, even as violent drug traffickers sought new ways to smuggle it into the United States. The success of Operation Crystal Shield reflects the devotion of DEA and our partners to protect our communities from the scourge of drug trafficking and violent crime under any circumstances.”
U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, for the District of Montana, expressed support for Operation Crystal Shield. "Much of Montana's meth comes through these hubs cities and is driving our violent crime. Stopping these large quantities in California and Arizona will make meth harder to get and more expensive in Montana. When meth traffickers do get through, law enforcement officers across our state are committed to arresting and prosecuting them to the full extent of the law," U.S. Attorney Alme said.
Recent Montana cases include:
- A Mesa, Arizona man was sentenced in July 2019 to 10 years in prison on meth trafficking charges after law enforcement seized 34 pounds of meth in a suitcase he brought to Billings.
- A Billings resident was sentenced in August to eight years in prison on trafficking charges afer law enforcement found six pounds of meth in her home and another residence. The defendant admitted that she and another person had just returned from Phoenix and Las Vegas where they had picked up the meth.
- A Florida man pleaded guilty on Sept. 9 to trafficking charges after a traffic stop west of Billings led to 78 pounds of meth being seized from his vehicle, which had been rented in Las Vegas, NV.
DEA launched Operation Crystal Shield on Feb. 20, 2020, after identifying nine major methamphetamine trafficking hubs: Atlanta, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Phoenix, San Diego, and St. Louis. Together these nine cities accounted for more than 75 percent of the methamphetamine seized by DEA in 2019. Under this operation, DEA directed enforcement resources to these cities where methamphetamine is often trafficked in bulk and then distributed across the country, and partnered with other federal, state, and local law enforcement to interdict these shipments and target the transportation networks behind them.
Operation Crystal Shield leveraged existing DEA initiatives that target major drug trafficking networks, including the Mexican cartels responsible for virtually all of methamphetamine trafficked into and within the United States. From FY 2017 to FY 2019, DEA domestic seizures of methamphetamine increased 127 percent from 49,507 pounds to 112,146 pounds. During the same timeframe, the number of DEA arrests related to methamphetamine increased by nearly 20 percent.
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Florida man admits trafficking drugs after 78 pounds of meth seized in traffic stopRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Florida man today admitted a drug trafficking crime after the Montana Highway Patrol seized 78 pounds of nearly pure methamphetamine, which is more than a quarter of a million doses, during a traffic stop near Columbus, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Nichols James Imhoff, 30, of Cape Coral, FL, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth. Imhoff faces a minimum mandatory 10 years in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. Imhoff was detained pending further proceedings. Sentencing will be set by U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen.
The prosecution said in court documents that on Feb. 11, a Montana Highway Patrol trooper stopped an eastbound Dodge Caravan for speeding on Interstate 90 near Columbus. Imhoff, the driver, provided a Florida driver's license, a rental contract for the vehicle from Las Vegas, NV, and told the trooper he was headed back to work in the oilfields in North Dakota. Imhoff's explanations and other observations led the trooper to suspect Imhoff was transporting drugs.
The trooper deployed his canine on the vehicle, and the dog alerted to the presence of drugs. Imhoff's vehicle was impounded in Columbus, and the officer obtained a Montana search warrant. During a search of the vehicle, officers seized about 78 pound of meth, which is the equivalent of 282,672 doses. The meth was located under a floor storage compartment in the second seat area and was in white plastic garbage bags. Some of the meth was packaged in vacuum sealed plastic bags and some was wrapped in gray duct tape. An analysis by a Drug Enforcement Administration lab determined the meth was 98 percent pure.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Patten is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Montana Highway Patrol.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. 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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Department of Justice announces funding to promote law enforcement mental health and wellnessRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) this week announced $4.5 million in grants for the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program. The Montana Department of Justice will receive $84,342 for its Peer Support Project.
These program funds are used to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement through training and technical assistance, demonstration projects, implementation of promising practices related to peer mentoring mental health and wellness, and suicide prevention programs.
"Every day, our law enforcement officers put themselves at risk to keep us safe. Now, the job is even more challenging with officers facing potential exposure to COVID-19 while dealing with increasing violent crime. I want to thank our law enforcement officers, deputies, agents and troopers for their hard work, and I am pleased Montana will receive this funding to help keep them healthy and well," U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said today.
“Good mental and psychological health is just as essential as good physical health for law enforcement officers to be effective in keeping our communities safe from crime and violence,” Montana Attorney General Tim Fox said. “This grant will enable Montana’s law enforcement agencies to provide a safe environment for officers to talk about mental health challenges they may be facing and receive immediate assistance thanks to the Peer Support Project.”
"As a law enforcement professional with over 50 years of experience, I know firsthand the pressures that accompany this most noble profession,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith. “This Department of Justice is committed to protecting the health and wellness of a police department’s most valuable asset – the men and women that leave their homes every day with a mission to protect and serve. The grants announced today will provide departments with key mental health and wellness services.”
As part of the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017, Congress authorized the COPS Office to establish peer mentoring mental health and wellness pilot programs within state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies. The 41 awards announced today meet the goals of the 2017 Act and support the Department of Justice and the Administration’s commitment to law enforcement. The full list of awards is available here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2020AwardDocs/lemhwa/Award_List.pdf.
In addition to the grants announced today, the COPS Office recently published two reports regarding officer mental health and wellness. Those reports are available here:
- Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Report to Congress
- Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Programs: Eleven Case Studies
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office 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 134,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For more information, please visit: https://cops.usdoj.gov/.
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Armed meth trafficker sentenced to 12 years in prisonRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Spokane, WA, man who admitted possessing firearms while trafficking methamphetamine after law enforcement officers found the items in his backpack was sentenced today to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Lance Howard Garett, 42, pleaded guilty in April to possession with intent to distribute meth and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The prosecution said in court documents filed in the case that on Sept. 21, 2019 in Granite County, a Montana Highway Patrol officer searched Garett's backpack after a vehicle pursuit of a motorcycle driven by Garett. In Garett's backpack were two handguns, meth and heroin. Garett admitted to law enforcement that he had fled because he possessed the guns and drugs.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Elliott prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Montana Highway Patrol.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws, and Project Safe Neighborhoods, the USDOJ’s initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 through 2018. Through these initiatives, 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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Fraud Alert: Scammers claiming to be with DOJ, preying on elderlyRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — The Department of Justice is advising the public of an imposter scam in which persons claiming to represent the department are calling individuals and appear to be targeting the elderly.
The Office of Justice Programs’ Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has received multiple reports of the imposter scam, and the DOJ strongly encourages the public to remain vigilant and not to provide personal information during these calls.
Reports to the National Elder Fraud Hotline indicate these scammers falsely represent themselves as Department of Justice investigators or employees and attempt to obtain personal information from the call recipient, or they leave a voicemail with a return phone number. The return phone number directs users to a recorded menu that matches the recorded menu for the department’s main phone number. Eventually, the user reaches an “operator” who steers the user to someone claiming to be an investigator. That “investigator” then attempts to gain the user’s personal information.
"Exploiting the elderly for financial gain through such scams is a crime, and posing as DOJ employees makes it even more despicable because it undermines the public's trust in the department. I urge everyone to independently verify the identity of a caller before giving any personal information. An investigating agent will never request financial information," U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
“Phone scams are an ugly and pervasive act of victimization. The scams being reported to our National Elder Fraud Hotline are especially heinous because they show the perpetrators are preying upon one of the most vulnerable segments of our society – the elderly. The first step to identifying these criminals is to have their crimes reported,” said OVC Director Jessica Hart.
Those who receive these calls are encouraged not to provide personal information and to report these scams to the FTC via their website or by calling 877–FTC–HELP (877)382-4357.
The National Elder Fraud Hotline is a resource created by OVC for people to report fraud against anyone age 60 or older. Reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible, and within the first 2–3 days, can increase the likelihood of recovering losses.
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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. 1 was:
Martin Shane Waddingham, 46, of Billings, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Waddingham faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Waddingham was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-102.
Courage Dane DeCrane, 20, of Pryor, on charges of aggravated sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact. If convicted of the most serious crime, DeCrane faces life in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years to life in prison. DeCrane was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-16.
Destiny Nilsen, 27, of Billings, on charges of receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment. If convicted of the most serious crime, Nilsen faces a maximum five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Nilsen was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-98.
Appearing on Sept. 3 was:
Courtney Nicole Lienemann, 31, of Billings, on charges of 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, Lienemann faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervise release. Lienemann was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-94.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Sept. 1 was:
Jose Manuel Villalobos Medina, 25, of Phoenix, AZ, on charges of possession with intent to distribute meth, heroin and fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Medina faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Medina was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Great Falls Police Department investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-41.
John Michael Dunne, 31, of Deer Lodge, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Dunne faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Dunne was detained pending further proceedings. The Deer Lodge Police Department, Montana Probation and Parole and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-19.
Harry B. Azure, 20, Wolf Point, on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted of the most serious crime, Azure faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Azure was detained pending further proceedings. Fort Peck Law Enforcement and the FBI investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-58.
If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Former postal worker sentenced for stealing cash from mail at Sweet Grass post officeRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A former U. S. Postal Service worker who admitted going through mail and stealing cash and gift cards from envelopes was sentenced on Sept. 3 to two years of probation, fined $1,000 and ordered to pay $2,065 restitution, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said today.
Amanda Holland, 38, of Sunburst, pleaded guilty in May to theft of mail by a postal employee and destruction of mail by a postal employee.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said that Holland began working in January 2017 for the U.S. Postal Service as a part-time employee in the Sweet Grass and Sunburst post offices, where she assisted customers, processed money orders and sorted mail for delivery. In early 2019, the Postal Service received several reports from individuals indicating that cash and greeting cards sent through the Sweet Grass office did not reach their destinations. Some individuals reported that the envelopes were delivered but that they had been torn open and resealed and were missing cash.
An investigation using test mailings with envelopes containing gift cards and surveillance cameras led to Holland. The gift cards were redeemed to buy jewelry, clothes and candy, and the cameras showed Holland acting suspiciously while working, including placing mail in her apron and cash in a personal bag.
When interviewed by law enforcement, Holland initially denied knowing anything about the mail thefts but then admitted to taking money about three to four times a week, including stealing $30 that day prior to the interview. Holland told law enforcement she would target what appeared to be holiday or birthday cards, open and take items of value, attempt to reseal the envelopes and throw them away if she could not.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
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Convicted felon sentenced for firearms, ammunition possessionRead the Press Release
HELENA — A Helena man who admitted possessing five firearms and ammunition after having been convicted of a felony was sentenced today to 51 months in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Colter Joseph Epler, 40, pleaded guilty in June to prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition.
U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon presided.
In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said that on June 24, 2019, Epler, a convicted felon on state supervision, possessed five firearms and ammunition at his residence. During a search of Epler's residence by Montana Probation and Parole officers after Epler admitted using alcohol, officers found a firearm in his hamper and four firearms in his garage, along with ammunition of various calibers. Epler was convicted of a felony in Lewis and Clark County in 2013 and was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Montana Department of Corrections--Probation and Parole Office.
This case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative launched in the fall of 2019 to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Through Project Guardian, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Montana is working to enhance coordination of its federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. In addition, Project Guardian supports information sharing and taking action when individuals are denied a firearm purchase by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for mental health reasons or because they are a prohibited person.
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Armed meth trafficker on Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS —A Box Elder man who admitted possessing a firearm while dealing methamphetamine on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 11 years and six months in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Issac Elias Saenz, 28, pleaded guilty in December to possession with intent to distribute meth and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The prosecution said in court documents that in January 2018, a Rocky Boy's criminal investigator observed a vehicle, which had been reported stolen from Billings, at a residence on the reservation. The investigator saw the vehicle leave the residence, made a traffic stop and detained the driver and Saenz, who was a passenger in the front seat. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on the vehicle and found multiple bags containing a total of 60 grams of meth and a firearm under the front passenger seat. A DNA test determined there was a high likelihood that Saenz's DNA and the DNA of three unknown individuals were on the firearm. The investigation also determined that Saenz trafficked meth in Missoula County and near Box Elder in Hill County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassady Adams prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services, the Tri-Agency Drug Task Force, and the Rocky Boy's Drug Task Force.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws, and Project Safe Neighborhoods, the USDOJ’s initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 through 2018. Through these initiatives, 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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Violent crime increasing in Yellowstone CountyRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – Violent crime in Yellowstone County has increased significantly since COVID-19 appeared in Montana, a trend law enforcement attribute to methamphetamine and domestic violence, federal and local law enforcement officials announced today.
Yellowstone County has had 67 more victims of murder, robbery and aggravated assault this year for the months March through July than there were for the same period in the previous year, almost a 21 percent increase. The crimes include eight murders, more than occurred in all of 2019, along with numerous non-fatal shooting and stabbings. Robberies have also increased 44 percent.
U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito, Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder and Billings Police Chief Rich St. John discussed the increasing violence during a press conference on the Yellowstone County Courthouse Lawn.
“Those who push meth will be caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. In addition, those with a firearm after committing domestic violence or receiving a restraining order will be prosecuted federally. I want to thank our federal, state and local law enforcement for confronting this violence in spite of risks from COVID, and our prosecutors and staff for their hard work during this time. Now more than ever, I also urge our community to support our crisis and drug treatment services through Yellowstone Substance Abuse Connect,” U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
"Despite the efforts of our law enforcement we continue to see an increase in violent crime in Billings and Yellowstone County. COVID has added tremendous amounts of stress to this community, including the criminal justice system. We need the public's help. Please watch out for your neighbor, and if you see a crime, report it immediately," Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito said.
“Since before the onset of COVID, we have seen a steady uptick in violent crime. Now that COVID has fully affected life in Billings, we continue to see increases, especially in domestic assault and weapons cases. There have been eight murders from March through July. And there was one murder in August. Most all of the homicides have one common denominator, methamphetamine. It continues to drive crime in Billings. We remain committed to work with our partners to aggressively pursue, investigate, and arrest offenders. COVID is a distraction, but it will not deter us from the very important work of keeping the community safe," Billings Police Chief Rich St. John said.
“Our jail may be crowded, but we will always make room for those who belong in jail," Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder said. "I would just like to remind everyone that the Yellowstone County Detention Facility is open for business. Law enforcement officers in our community remain committed to investigating, arresting and prosecuting the violent criminals in our community. This would include those who continue to sell the drugs that are plaguing our community," Sheriff Linder added.
The law enforcement officials explained that both meth dealing and use have contributed to the increase in violent crime. A July report by Millennium Health showed that since March, positive meth urinalysis tests in Montana have increased almost 34 percent. The nationwide increase for positive meth tests is almost 20 percent. The report also found that nearly half of all Americans believe COVID-19 is harming their mental health.
In response to previous increases in meth-related violent crime in Yellowstone County, in 2018, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with federal, state, and local law enforcement reinvigorated Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime.
Since PSN began in Yellowstone County, 270 individuals have been charged with meth distribution, armed robbery and firearms offenses in federal court, 333 pounds of meth and 343 firearms have been seized, including 78 semi-automatic rifles. In addition, the U.S. Marshal’s Service’s Violent Offender Task Force has arrested 1,334 offenders through July.
The officials also urged support for expanding drug prevention and treatment programs through the community plan created earlier this year by Yellowstone Substance Abuse Connect, a coalition of non-profit and governmental organizations working to reduce the demand for meth.
PSN Yellowstone County’s partners include the U.S. Attorney’s Office; Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office; Montana Department of Justice’s Prosecution Services Division, Highway Patrol and the Division of Criminal Investigation; Montana Department of Correction’s Adult Probation and Parole Division; Billings and Laurel police departments; Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office; Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; FBI; Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Marshal’s Service.
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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 Aug. 25 was:
Jimmie Lee Singleton, 60, of Livingston, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Singleton faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Singleton was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-79.
Tanya Smith, 44, of Laurel, on charges of theft of government property, false statements to a government agency and Social Security fraud-concealment. If convicted of the most serious crime, Smith faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Smith was released pending further proceedings. The Social Security Administration investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-81.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Aug. 25 was:
Nathaniel Vincent Long, 41, of Missoula, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and drug user in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Long faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Long was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-35.
If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Billings leader of large methamphetamine organization sentenced to eight years in prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings woman who admitted heading a large methamphetamine distribution ring after investigators seized six pounds of the drug at her home and another location was sentenced today to eight years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Jamie Juwann Ady, 42, also known as Jamie Ady Alatorre, pleaded guilty in October to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The prosecution said in court documents that in November 2018, agents with the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force identified a large-scale meth trafficking organization that was bringing meth into Montana. Ady headed this organization and worked with other co-conspirators.
Agents executed a search warrant on Ady's residence and a secondary location in Laurel where Ady stored some of the drugs and seized approximately six pounds of meth. Ady admitted in an interview to being a meth distributor and said that she and another person had just returned from Las Vegas and Phoenix where they picked up four bundles of meth, each containing about 1.5 pounds, from a source. Six pounds of meth is the equivalent of about 21,744 doses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich investigated the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and FBI Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. 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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California man sentenced for blackmailRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A California man who admitted blackmailing an individual for years by threatening to inform on the person if he wasn't paid money was sentenced today to five years of probation, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Bryan Gregg Waterfield Nash, 57, of Woodside, CA, pleaded guilty in May to blackmail, a misdemeanor.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided.
The prosecution said in court documents that the blackmail began in December 2013 and ran until about June 2019 in Whitefish and in northern California. Nash knew the victim, identified as John Doe 1, for many years. Beginning in about December 2013, Nash frequently communicated with John Doe 1 in person and electronically and with his family, friends and colleagues.
Nash demanded money from John Doe 1, accused the victim of committing federal crimes, including tax fraud, and repeatedly asked for financial assistance.
When John Doe 1 stopped responding to Nash, Nash intensified communications with the victim's family, friends, employees and privately-retained lawyers. Many of the messages referenced the victim being investigated by the IRS or FBI, and Nash repeatedly asked to meet with the victim's lawyers to "settle" with the victim. Nash's requests to settle with John Doe 1 were in consideration for not filing a civil complaint against the victim or reporting his alleged crimes to law enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tim Racicot and Ryan Weldon prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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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 Aug. 17 was:
Jarod Barton Schwab, 33, of Missoula, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Schwab faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Schwab was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Missoula Police Department and Northwest Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Pacer case reference. 20-34.
Appearing on Aug. 20 was:
Krystal Ann Bouldin, 47, of Missoula, 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, Bouldin faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. Bouldin was released pending further proceedings. The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-33.
Dylan Cole Martin, 23, of Bozeman, on charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Martin faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Martin was released pending further proceedings. The Missouri River Drug Task Force, Montana Department of Criminal Investigation, FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-17.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Aug. 20 was:
Donald Ray Gardner, 57, of Lodge Grass, on charges of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and abusive sexual contact. If convicted of the most serious crime, Gardner faces a maximum life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Gardner was released pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-70.
Darrell Dean Fisher, 35, of Lame Deer, on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury of a dating partner and strangulation. If convicted of the most serious crime, Fisher faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Fisher was released pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-71.
If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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