District of Montana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Livingston man sentenced for firearm violationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Livingston man who admitted he lied on a form when he bought a firearm at a pawn shop was sentenced today to one year and a day in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Nicholas Tyler Smith, 25, pleaded guilty in April to making a false statement in a firearms acquisition.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
On Sept. 1, 2018, Smith went to a pawn shop in Bozeman and filled out a form to buy a .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol. The background check was delayed and the firearm was eventually purchased on Sept. 7, 2018. The FBI denied the transaction on Sept. 10, 2018. Smith was prohibited from buying the gun because he had an open felony case filed against him. Smith also lied on the form by responding, “No,” to the question of whether he was under indictment or information in any court for a felony or for any crime in which he could be imprisoned for more than a year. On Sept. 11, 2018, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives encountered Smith on BLM land south of Livingston. During an interview, Smith provided the agent with the pistol along with several rounds of ammunition.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan McCarthy prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the ATF.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Attorney General’s Advisory Subcommittee on Native American Issues to Convene in New MexicoRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme will meet with fellow members of the Attorney General’s Advisory Subcommittee on Native American Issues (NAIS) in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, to discuss public safety and law enforcement issues that impact Native American and Alaska Native communities. Attorney Alme is vice chair of the subcommittee.
“After listening to tribal leaders last week at the Government to Government Consultation in Michigan, I look forward to meeting with the other U.S. Attorneys from across the country to improve safety for our American Indians and Alaska Natives, and especially for indigenous women,” Attorney Alme said. “We need to work together to reduce drug trafficking and violence, to ensure that those who go missing are found, and that victims of crime receive the help they need to heal.”
The annual meeting will begin Aug. 28 and run through Aug. 30. During this time, the NAIS will engage with tribal leaders and develop strategies and best practices to address missing and murdered indigenous people, drug trafficking, needed law enforcement resources, and safeguarding children from sexual abuse in Indian country.
The most common crimes investigated in Indian country include child sexual abuse, violent assaults, and adult sexual assaults, followed by homicide, other forms of child abuse, drug, and property crimes. According to a 2016 study funded by the National Institute of Justice, more than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native adults have experienced some form of violence in their lifetime, and more than half of all American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced violence from an intimate partner. Native women and girls suffer a high rate of violence, including murder.
“United States Attorneys nationwide are committed to improving public safety in Indian country and rural Alaska. The work of Attorney General Barr’s Native American Issues Subcommittee is focused on reducing violent crime, improving law enforcement resources, and combating the distribution of methamphetamine and opioids,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores, of the Northern District of Oklahoma and chair of the NAIS. “The disproportionate rates of violence affecting Native American and Alaska Native women is particularly troubling to me. With Attorney General Barr’s leadership, we will continue working with tribal leaders to find solutions to the epidemic of violence against indigenous women.”
Panel discussions will also focus on the Indian Arts and Crafts Act and preserving Native American cultural patrimony. The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 is a truth-in-advertising law that prohibits misrepresentation in the marketing of Indian arts and crafts products within the United States. It is illegal to offer or display for sale, or sell any art or craft product in a manner that falsely suggests it is Indian produced, an Indian product, or the product of a particular Indian or Indian tribe or Indian arts and crafts organization, resident within the United States.
The NAIS consists of 53 U.S. Attorneys serving in districts that include Indian Country or one or more federally recognized tribes and makes policy recommendations to the Attorney General. The NAIS has identified four priority areas: 1) Violent crime 2) Law enforcement resources 3) Drug trafficking and substance abuse, and 4) White collar crime. It is the longest standing subcommittee to the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee and helps develop, shape, and otherwise implement justice policies affecting Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
In fiscal year 2018, the Department of Justice awarded $113 million in grant awards to improve public safety, serve victims of crime, combat violence against women, and support youth programs, to 134 Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages. In addition, the Department awarded a total of 154 grants totaling $88 million as part of the first-ever Tribal Victim Service Set-Aside program; these awards were supported by the Crime Victims Fund, a repository of federal criminal fines, fees, and special assessments. The awards will help tribes develop, expand and improve services to victims of crime by providing funding, programming and technical assistance. Even more funding will be available – up to $168 million – under the set-aside this year.
In July 2019, the Department announced a new tool giving tribal governments the ability to input data directly and gain access to the FBI’s National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) using the Tribe and Territory Sex Offender Registry System (TTSORS). TTSORS is a fully functioning registry system that complies with Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act requirements. The system connection will be available to all tribal governments already participating in the Tribal Access Program (TAP), which allows information sharing between tribal and federal government criminal information systems. TAP has been instrumental in assisting tribes with ongoing implementation of SORNA. In fiscal year 2019, the department expanded TAP to 25 more tribes, for a total of more than 70 participating tribes across the country.
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Meth trafficker from Laurel sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Laurel resident David Beckett, who admitted to methamphetamine trafficking charges after picking up a package of the drug that was sent through the U.S. Postal Service, was sentenced today to seven years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Beckett, 45, pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and to possession with intent to distribute.
U.S. District Judge Susan Watters presided.
In February, law enforcement got a tip about a package containing about a half-pound of meth was being shipped from California to a Laurel address, the prosecution said in court records. Beckett was to pick up the package and distribute the meth in Billings and surrounding areas.
Working with the U.S. Postal Inspector, law enforcement located the package and a K9 dog from the Billings Police Department alerted to the package. The same day, Beckett went to the post office in Laurel and said he was expecting a package. He was told the package was not available. Beckett returned a few hours later and again, was told the package was not available. The next day, Beckett returned to the post office and was told the package had not arrived. He provided law enforcement with his contact information and a tracking number for the package. The information he provided matched law enforcement’s information. After getting a federal search warrant for the package, law enforcement found about 114.4 grams of meth inside.
Law enforcement returned the package to the Laurel post office and called Beckett to tell him his package had arrived. Less than 10 minutes later, Beckett arrived, got out of his car and was arrested.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin Rubich and Bryan Dake prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Lame Deer woman sentenced to three years for meth traffickingRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Lame Deer resident Danika Nurea Sanchez was sentenced today to three years in prison and five years of supervised release for conviction on methamphetamine trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Sanchez, 21, pleaded guilty in March to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In July 2018, an undercover agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration bought about a quarter of a pound of meth from Sanchez in Billings. A quarter pound of meth is the equivalent of about 906 doses, the prosecution said in court documents filed in the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the DEA.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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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. 19 was:
Benjamin Ira Badbear, 34, of Billings, and Carrie Marie Rinesmith, 39, of Billings. Badbear is charged with possession of a stolen firearm, receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Rinesmith is charged with possession of a stolen firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Badbear and Rinesmith face a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Both are detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-92.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston on Aug. 20 and pleading not guilty was:
Timothy Blackman, 27, of Browning, on charges of sexual abuse. If convicted of the most serious crime, Blackman faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Blackman was released pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-52.
Appearing on Aug. 21 and pleading not guilty was:
Henry James Daychild, Jr., 41, of Box Elder, on charges of strangulation and domestic abuse by habitual offender. If convicted of the most serious crime, Daychild faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Daychild was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-61.
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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No Federal Charges to be Sought in Death of Henny ScottRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office will not seek federal charges in the death of Henny Scott, a 14-year-old Lame Deer girl whose body was found on Dec. 28, 2018 on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. After a thorough investigation by the FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs, the office has determined it cannot prove any federal crime was committed.
Henny Scott was last seen on Dec. 8, 2018 when she walked away from a residence in the Muddy Creek area west of Lame Deer. Her body was found 200 yards from the residence. A forensic examination determined Henny Scott died of hypothermia and that the manner of death was accidental. The forensic examination did not find any significant trauma or preexisting disease. In addition, the investigation determined that when Scott was last seen alive, she was wearing light-weight clothing in below-freezing temperatures. The forensic examination also showed that alcohol use was a significant condition of her death.
As in all cases under its consideration, the responsibility of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is to determine whether a federal crime has been committed and whether it can prove all elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. In this case, the office cannot prove any federal crime was committed when Henny Scott walked away from the residence.
“This case has been a priority of this office, the FBI and BIA. Henny Scott’s death has deeply affected her family and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and has drawn significant public concern. We send our sympathies to Ms. Scott’s family and to the entire tribal community,” U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
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Big Timber man sentenced for possession of meth for distributionRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Big Timber resident Eric Daniel Gibson was sentenced today to six years in prison and five years of supervised release after he admitted to possessing methamphetamine for distribution, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Gibson, 28, pleaded guilty in February to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In June 2017, Sweet Grass County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a single vehicle rollover near Interstate 90. Blood in the car suggested the driver was injured, the prosecution said in court documents. Witnesses said that the vehicle’s sole occupant had taken off running toward a nearby ranch. When the vehicle was turned upright, law enforcement found a cell phone and collected plastic baggies of meth and an ammunition tray. Gibson was found walking on the railroad tracks near the site of the accident. Investigators executed a search warrant on the cell phone and found text messages indicating meth distribution. The meth recovered totaled about 48.5 grams.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Godfrey prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Billings man sentenced for drug trafficking, firearmsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Billings resident Kevin James Maslen, who admitted trafficking methamphetamine and pain pills along with having firearms, was sentenced today to seven years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Maslen, 56, pleaded guilty in March to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
U.S. District Judge Susan Watters presided.
Evidence in the case showed that in June 2017, an undercover agent bought meth, morphine and oxycodone from Maslen on several occasions, the prosecution said in court records. In one of the deals, the agent bought morphine and two firearms from Maslen. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Maslen’s residence in May 2018 and found meth, 83 oxycodone tablets and firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Godfrey prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Billings man admits firearms crimes related to drug trafficking on Fort Peck ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Billings man on Tuesday admitted to illegally possessing firearms after he was arrested last year on suspicion of driving under the influence on the Fort Peck Reservation, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Gabriel Hazard, 35, pleaded guilty to prohibited person in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Hazard faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided and detained Hazard pending further proceedings. Sentencing is set for Nov. 27, 2019.
The prosecutor said in court documents that law enforcement arrested Hazard for driving while under the influence after a Roosevelt County Sheriff’s deputy saw a vehicle, driven by Hazard, going significantly slower than the speed limit on Highway 2 on the Fort Peck Reservation on Dec. 16, 2018. The deputy interacted with Hazard at the scene and observed that Hazard appeared to be under the influence of meth.
The officer looked into the vehicle and saw a pistol on the back seat, ammunition, a tactical-style vest, the grip of a handgun between the driver’s seat and center console, and a scale on the dash. Hazard had two rounds of ammunition in a pants pocket and a pistol holster on his belt. While Hazard was being booked into jail, an officer found a bag of meth in Hazard’s wallet. Officers executed a search warrant on the vehicle and found three firearms and ammunition.
The investigation determined Hazard was aware there were three firearms in his vehicle, that he used the guns for protection, and had sold meth on the Fort Belknap and Fort Peck reservations. Because of a prior felony conviction, Hazard was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassady Adams is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Peck Tribes law enforcement.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Assault on elderly woman sends Lame Deer man to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Lame Deer man who admitted hitting and kicking an elderly woman was sentenced today to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Jonathan Mark Limpy, 25, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury in April.
U.S. District Judge Susan Watters presided.
The prosecution said in court records that the assault happened at a Busby residence on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation on Sept. 7, 2018. Limpy had been out drinking with friends and relatives during the day. That night, he argued with a woman and then assaulted another woman, who was elderly, by hitting her in the head and kicking her after she fell to the ground. The victim was transported to Billings Clinic where she ultimately had surgery.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Dake prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the BIA.
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U.S. Attorney Alme to attend tribal consultation on violence against womenRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme will join U.S. Department of Justice officials in New Buffalo, Mich., this week for a two-day consultation with tribal leaders on violence against women.
The meeting will be held on Aug. 21 and 22 at the Silver Creek Event Center Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich.
The gathering of federal and tribal officials is for the 14th annual Government-to-Government consultation to solicit recommendations from tribal leaders on enhancing safety and strengthening federal law enforcement efforts to the crimes of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and sex trafficking of American Indian and Alaska Native women. There also will be consultation on administering funds and programs for tribal governments established by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and subsequent legislation.
“I look forward to hearing from tribal leaders on how we can improve safety for American Indian women and reduce the violence they experience. Eighty four percent, or more than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native women, have experienced violence in their lifetime, the National Institute of Justice reports. We must work together to address solve this chronic problem through law enforcement responses and federal support of prevention and victim services programs,” U.S. Attorney Alme said.
U.S. Attorney Alme is vice chair of the Native American Issues Subcommittee of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee.
Participants will include the U.S. Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services and Interior, along with tribal leaders of federally-recognized Indian Tribes.
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Missoula meth trafficker sentenced to six years in prisonRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—A Missoula man who admitted distributing methamphetamine in the community and trading firearms for drugs was sentenced today to six years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Blade Michael Sorenson, 23, pleaded guilty in March to possession with intent to distribute meth and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
The prosecution said in court records that from the summer of 2017 until about the fall of 2018, Sorenson was distributing large amounts of meth in the area and traded guns in exchange for drugs and cash. Multiple confidential informants told law enforcement of buying meth from Sorenson, seeing him with at least one pound of meth, trading firearms for meth, marijuana and cash and buying a .45 caliber handgun from him. A pound of meth is the equivalent of about 3,624 doses. In August 2018, a Missoula Police Department officer made a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Sorenson was a passenger. During a search of the vehicle, officers found meth and a semi-automatic handgun that Sorenson admitted were his.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Elliott prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Montana Regional Violent Crimes Task Force.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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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. 13 was:
Mark Luciano, 59, of Henderson, NV, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Luciano faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Luciano was released pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 19-86.
Seth William Daniel, 24, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Daniel faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Daniel was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-102.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston for an initial appearance on a complaint on Aug. 15 was:
Sean Henry White Bremmer, 24, of Browning, on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, receipt of child pornography and transfer of obscene material to minors. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bremmer faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. He was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-63.
Appearing on an indictment and pleading not guilty was:
William Joseph Spotted Eagle, 38, of Heart Butte, on charges of sexual abuse. If convicted of the most serious crime, Spotted Eagle faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. He was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-58.
Appearing on Aug. 14 and pleading not guilty was:
Joshua James Birdrattler, 35, of Browning, on charges of aggravated sexual abuse. If convicted of the most serious crime, Birdrattler faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. He was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-57.
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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Bozeman woman sentenced to nine months for defrauding court-appointed clientsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—Ellen Lorraine Van Ausdol, a Bozeman resident who ran a money management service for court-appointed clients, was sentenced today to nine months in prison and three years supervised release for stealing her clients’ funds and spending most of the money on gambling expenses, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, who presided, also ordered Van Ausdol, 78, to pay $186,452.99 in restitution, with $133,558.99 to the victims and $52,894 to the IRS.
“Ms. Van Ausdol’s actions were deplorable. Those who defraud and embezzle, and particularly those who exploit the vulnerable, can expect to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” U.S. Attorney Alme said.
Van Ausdol pleaded guilty in March to wire fraud and to making and subscribing to a false tax return.
Van Ausdol operated a money management business called Fiduciary Consulting and Management, which provided services for court-appointed clients, the prosecution said in court records. Many of the clients had mental deficiencies and lacked the ability to manage their own money.
Van Ausdol embezzled from her clients during a six-year period, from about 2010 to 2016, and told investigators she used the majority of the money to cover her gambling expenses. The investigation also found that Van Ausdol did not pay income taxes of $52,894.00 on the stolen money.
The prosecution said the embezzled funds totaled $253,528, bringing the total fraud loss to $306,422. Van Ausdol repaid $119,950 to victims in 2016, leaving $94,558.99 owed to them in restitution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Weldon prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation.
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Busby man sentenced to prison for sexually abusing minorRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Busby man who admitting having sex with a minor on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in 2017 was sentenced today to 37 months in prison and to five years of supervised release, said U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Romer Jesse Jaure, 28, pleaded guilty in April to sexual abuse of a minor.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said Jaure had sex with a minor in September 2017 at his residence after he and the victim had been drinking and smoking marijuana. The victim told Jaure no but he ignored her. The victim was between the ages of 12 and 16 at the time.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Dake prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Assault sends Crow Agency man to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Crow Agency resident Ralph Kenneth Costa was sentenced today to two years in prison and three years of supervised release after he admitted to assault charges for dragging the victim with his vehicle, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Costa, 34, pleaded guilty in April to assault resulting in substantial injury to a dating partner.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The prosecution said in court records that the assault occurred on July 4, 2017 as Costa and the victim were driving from Dunmore, on the Crow Indian Reservation, to Hardin. Both were intoxicated. During the trip, Costa got angry with the victim and began hitting her in the head. The victim asked Costa to pull over so she could get out. Costa pulled over on a concrete bridge, and as the victim got out, Costa pulled forward, knocking down the victim. Costa then backed up, pulling the victim under the open door and dragging her on the concrete. A witness who was behind Costa’s vehicle took the victim to the hospital. The victim suffered cuts, abrasions and road rash.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Godfrey prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Jury convicts Billings man of meth trafficking crimesRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A jury on Wednesday convicted Billings resident Charles Eugene Venditti of methamphetamine trafficking crimes, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. The trial began on Monday.
The jury found Venditti, 42, guilty of all five counts in an indictment, including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth and three counts of distribution.
Venditti faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen set sentencing for Jan. 14, 2020. Venditti is detained.
“Mr. Venditti’s conviction sends the message that those who sell meth will be held responsible for pushing this poison in the community. I want to commend the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the prosecution team for their work on this case,” U.S. Attorney Alme said.
Prosecutors presented evidence at trial that law enforcement received information in May 2018 that Venditti was distributing meth. Law enforcement worked with a confidential informant to make three monitored meth buys from Venditti. Two of the buys occurred at Venditti’s tattoo business at 145 Grand Ave., and one occurred in Venditti’s vehicle. Each purchase was for an ounce of meth for $800.
Law enforcement served search warrants in June 2018 on Venditti’s residence and tattoo business and on another person’s residence. The search found drug paraphernalia and a small amount of meth at Venditti’s residence.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tom Godfrey and Colin Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Montana Native Women’s Coalition Board ex-treasurer charged with embezzlement of grant moneyRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—The former board treasurer of the Montana Native Women’s Coalition was arraigned today on charges in a 10-count indictment accusing her, along with the Coalition’s ex-chairwoman, of stealing federal grant funds to make unapproved trips to Las Vegas and to receive other unauthorized benefits, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Barbara Mary Daychief, 43, of Browning, pleaded not guilty to theft from a program receiving federal funding, wire fraud, fraudulent travel claims and misprision of felony. Daychief, who was the Coalition’s treasurer, is charged with a total of six counts.
Co-defendant Meredith McConnell, 49, of Busby, who was the Coalition’s chairwoman and the executive director for Healing Hearts, is charged with a total of seven counts. McConnell is set for arraignment on Aug. 29.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided and released Daychief pending further proceedings.
If convicted of the most serious crime, Daychief faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The indictment accuses McConnell and Daychief of stealing from the Lame Deer-based coalition from about August 2017 until March 2018. The Coalition’s purpose is to help Native American victims of domestic and sexual violence. In addition, the Coalition brings together Native American leaders and state representatives who administer state and federal funds for domestic violence and programming to improve resources for Native women and tribal programs.
The Coalition receives funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women, which provides grants for victim services. From October 2017 to September 2018, the OVAW awarded the Coalition $318,008 in federal funds.
In March 2017, the Coalition’s previous executive director, Toni Louise Plummer-Alvernaz, pleaded guilty to fraud for stealing from the Coalition. Plummer-Alvernaz was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison and ordered to pay $246,024 restitution.
Two months later, the First Nations Development Institute held a two-day training for the Coalition in Billings, where it taught board members, including McConnell and Daychief, about conflicts of interest, whistleblower policies, code of ethics and financial oversight. The Coalition also received a special condition about reporting fraud in its September 2017 award package.
The indictment alleges McConnell and Daychief committed travel fraud, received travel payments on non-approved trips, including to Las Vegas, received and authorized double-payment for “days in service,” authorized unapproved construction projects and took other benefits they were not entitled to receive.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Weldon and Bryan Dake are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.
Pacer case reference. 19-90. The progress of the case may be monitored 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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California man charged with interstate stalkingRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—A California man was arraigned today on an indictment accusing him of using the Internet and cell phones to harass individuals and to threaten to damage the reputations of two persons unless they paid him money, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Bryan Gregg Waterfield Nash, 54, of Woodside, CA, pleaded not guilty to interstate stalking and to interstate communication with intent to extort. If convicted of the most serious crime, Nash faces a maximum five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Nash was released pending further proceedings.
An indictment is merely an accusation. Nash is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The indictment alleges that from December 2013 through June 2019 in Whitefish and in California, Nash used a computer, cell phone, email and the Internet to harass or intimidate approximately 33 persons. The indictment further alleges that Nash sent electronic messages to two individuals threatening to damage their reputations by releasing information about alleged behavior to law enforcement and to the media if the individuals refused to pay him substantial sums of money.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Racicot is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
Pacer reference No. 19-30.
The progress of the case may be monitored 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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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. 8 was:
Kristopher Daniel Rainey, 35, 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, Rainey faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Rainey was released pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI West Task Force. Pacer case reference. 19-99.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Aug. 8 was:
Nicholas Gregorio-Matias, 41, of Mexico, on charges of illegal reentry. If convicted of the most serious crime, Gregorio-Matias faces a maximum two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol and Toole County Sheriff’s Office. Pacer case reference. 19-55.
Donald Paul Olson, 38, of Conrad, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of meth and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Olson faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. Olson was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and the Montana Highway Patrol. Pacer case reference. 19-47.
Leah Goggles, 36, of Cut Bank, 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, Goggles faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Goggles was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Service Pacer case reference. 19-50.
Ryan Joseph Cantrell, 23, of Wolf Point, on charges of sexual abuse of a minor. If convicted of the most serious crime, Cantrell faces a maximum 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. He was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI and Fort Peck Criminal Investigation. Pacer case reference. 19-48.
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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Illegal possession of 20 firearms sends Tennessee man to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Bruce Howell Runion was sentenced today to three years in prison and three years of supervised after admitting he possessed 20 firearms in Musselshell County despite being prohibited from having guns because of a felony conviction, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Runion, 47, of Crosby, Tenn., pleaded guilty in February to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The prosecution said in court records that the Musselshell County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for assistance at a residence on Aug. 1, 2017. Runion was outside, covered in blood and acting aggressively. During a safety sweep of the residence, officers saw on a coffee table a pistol that had been discharged into the ceiling. An investigation found that Runion had become enraged because of a phone call and had discharged the firearm into the ceiling while trashing the residence.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives identified Runion as a prohibited felon and obtained a search warrant for the residence. Agents found an assortment of 20 firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the ATF.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Billings meth dealer sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Billings man who admitted selling meth from his house located near a school and having multiple firearms was sentenced today to eight years in prison and six years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Giovanni Rodrick Shawl, 32, pleaded guilty earlier to possession with intent to distribute meth and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
U.S. District Judge Susan Watters presided.
In the summer of 2017, law enforcement learned that Shawl was distributing meth in Billings and worked with a confidential informant to make controlled buys from him at his residence, which was located within 1,000 feet of Riverside Middle School, the prosecution said in court records.
In September 2017, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Shawl’s residence and recovered, among other items, a 7.62 rifle, .40 caliber ammunition and magazines, along with a small amount of marijuana and a digital scale with residue. During a search of a pickup truck Shawl had been seen driving during a controlled buy, agents found a loaded .40 caliber pistol, a loaded 9mm pistol, ammunition and about 5.4 grams of meth.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI Task Force.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Utah man sentenced to 13 years in meth conspiracyRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Utah man who admitted supplying methamphetamine to others for distribution in the Billings area was sentenced today to 13 years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Mark Terry Quintana, 27, of Price, Utah, pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents, the prosecution said that a 2016 drug trafficking investigation of meth and heroin transportation from Utah to Montana led to Quintana as the source of the meth. A local distributor told law enforcement he had bought at least $40,000 in narcotics from Quintana in a month. Agents also conducted a controlled buy of four ounces of meth from Quintana in Utah.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Godfrey prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Poplar man sentenced for meth trafficking, firearms possessionRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—Poplar resident Richard Allen Granbois, who admitted to possessing methamphetamine for distribution and possessing a firearms in connection with drug trafficking, was sentenced today to six years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Granbois, 36, pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute meth and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided.
The prosecution said in court records that multiple persons confirmed to law enforcement they had bought meth from Granbois during the summer of 2017 on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Persons also confirmed that Granbois regularly had firearms while dealing drugs.
A Montana Highway Patrol trooper made a traffic stop of Granbois’ vehicle in June 2017 and ticketed him for driving while under the influence of drugs. Early in the stop, the trooper noticed Granbois to be nervous and physically shaking. He also noticed between the driver’s seat and center console a handgun that Granbois was trying to hide with his body and a backpack. The trooper drew his own service weapon and ordered Granbois out of the vehicle. The handgun between the seat and console was a .40-caliber handgun loaded with eight live rounds. After getting a tribal search warrant for the vehicle, the trooper found a 9mm handgun, a .22/410 gauge rifle, ammunition, meth and marijuana.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Cobell prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort Peck Tribes and Montana Highway Patrol.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Illegal possession of firearm sends Billings man to prison for 10 yearsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Billings man who admitted illegally having a firearm that he discharged during a fight, sending a bullet through the brim of a person’s hat, was sentenced today to the statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Gary Duane Ervin, 51, pleaded guilty in April to being a prohibited person in possession a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The prosecution said in court records that on Oct. 28, 2018, Billings Police officers responded to a weapons complaint at a residence and found Ervin and two other individuals. During an altercation between Ervin and one of the individuals, Ervin pointed a firearm in the air and fired, sending a round into the brim of the person’s hat. The firearm was .38-caliber revolver that had been reported stolen, and it had an obliterated serial number. Ervin was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a prior felony conviction.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Billings man sentenced for illegal gun possessionRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Billings man who admitted to illegally possessing a firearm was sentenced today to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Kenneth Clarence Altman, 26, pleaded guilty in March to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
Billings Police officers arrested Altman after responding to a suspicious activity call on Sept. 15, 2018, the prosecution said. Officers learned there was a warrant for Altman and asked if he had any weapons. Altman replied he had a gun, a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, in his pants pocket. Altman was convicted in 2015 of a crime punishable by more than a year and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Tatarka prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Multi-pound meth dealer sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Laurel man accused of providing at least 15 pounds of methamphetamine for distribution in the community as part of a large trafficking organization was sentenced today to six and one-half years in prison and five years of supervised release, said U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Tyson Allen Gilmore, 27, pleaded guilty in March to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
Gilmore was among individuals in a drug trafficking conspiracy that included Billings resident Joshua Clause, who was sentenced in April to 15 years in prison for conviction on meth and firearms crimes, the prosecution said. After Clause’s arrest in August 2018, a source told law enforcement that Clause directed him to go to his house and remove 12 pounds of meth. Clause’s co-conspirators gave the meth to the Gilmore. One of Clause’s co-conspirators told agents that Gilmore provided him with 15 pounds of meth for distribution in the Billings area, while another co-conspirator admitted getting one and a half pounds of meth from Gilmore for re-distribution. Sixteen and a half pounds is the equivalent of about 59,796 doses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Billings Police Department, Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Montana Highway Patrol.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Billings man sentenced to prison for distributing meth, gun possessionRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Billings resident Larry Benjamin Barnett, who admitted distributing methamphetamine and having a firearm, was sentenced today to seven years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Barnett, 40, 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 Susan P. Watters presided.
A drug investigation in February 2018 led to the arrest and conviction of Christopher Hurst of Kalispell on drug and firearms crimes. Agents learned that Hurst’s source of meth also supplied Barnett. Officers served a search warrant on Barnett’s residence and found about 187 grams of meth and a firearm. Barnett admitted to receiving multiple pounds of meth from the common source of supplier. Hurst was sentenced to 12 years in prison in May.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, the FBI and the Billings Police Department.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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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 Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on July 31 was:
Pete Isaac Smith Jr., III, 36, of Cut Bank, 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, Smith faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. He was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services. Pacer case reference. 19-50.
If this case is of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor its the progress 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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Browning man admits strangulationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – Browning resident Delwin Paul Calflooking, Sr., today admitted to strangling a woman earlier this year at his home on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Calflooking, 47, pleaded guilty to strangulation of a dating partner. He faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Sentencing is set for Nov. 14, 2019. Judge ordered Calflooking detained pending sentencing.
The prosecution said evidence would show that the victim had been drinking with Calflooking on May 6, 2019 at his residence when he began questioning her and strangled and assaulted her. The victim found herself on the ground with Calflooking’s hands around her neck and lost consciousness several times. The victim suffered fractured ribs, a broken arm and significant bruising.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Box Elder man admits to assaulting womanRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – Box Elder resident Ryan John Gardipee on July 31 admitted to assaulting and injuring a woman during an argument that began while they were out for the evening and continued at a residence on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Gardipee, 23, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a dating partner. He faces a maximum five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided and set sentencing for Nov. 14, 2019. Gardipee is detained pending sentencing.
The prosecution said in court records that on Dec. 8, 2018, Gardipee, the victim and another person were out drinking at a casino and then went to another business. An argument began between Gardipee and the victim and continued after they returned to the casino. At one point, Gardipee and the victim began to drive to a residence. Gardipee grabbed the victim’s head as she was driving, and she slammed on the brakes. When the car began moving again, Gardipee jumped out and returned to the casino. Fearing that Gardipee may have injured himself, the victim returned to the casino and the two left together for the residence. On the drive, Gardipee again grabbed the victim’s head and yelled at her to drive to the residence. At the residence, Gardipee assaulted and strangled the victim.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Cobell is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Billings meth dealer sentenced to six years in prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A man who admitted selling methamphetamine in the Billings area was sentenced on July 31 to six years in prison and four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Albert Garcia, 48, hometown unknown, pleaded guilty in November to possession with intent to distribute meth.
Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen of Missoula presided.
The prosecution said in court records that law enforcement received information in September 2017 that Garcia was selling meth in the Billings area. Agents worked with a confidential informant who made two controlled buys of meth, totaling about 26 grams, from Garcia.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Dake prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Crow Agency woman sentenced to prison in meth-driven assault of elderly manRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Crow Agency woman who admitted to beating and injuring an elderly man while she was on methamphetamine was sentenced today 70 months in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Melissa Ann Prettypaint-Alvarado, 42, pleaded guilty in March to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
Prosecutors said evidence showed that the Bureau of Indian Affairs police responded on Nov. 18, 2018 to an assault that occurred at a Crow Agency residence on the Crow Indian Reservation. The 77-year-old victim said Prettypaint-Alvarado got angry and attacked him while he was lying on a bed. Prettypaint-Alvarado hit the victim in the face and head, tried to strangle him with a belt, pulled out a clump of his hair and bit his hand.
The victim was taken to Billings Clinic for treatment of injuries to his face, shoulder and eye area. After the assault, the victim needed a cane to walk.
Prettypaint-Alvarado admitted to law enforcement that she is a meth user and was on meth at the time she assaulted the victim.
“Melissa Prettypaint-Alvarado’s attack on this elderly victim while she was on meth highlights the incredible violence that can result from meth abuse. Meth abuse and related violence is all too common in our communities and will not be tolerated. We will prosecute such crimes to the fullest extent of the law,” U.S. Attorney Alme said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Suek prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Ex-Miles City high school athletic trainer sentenced to 12 years for coercion in molestation of boysRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Former Miles City high school athletic trainer James E. “Doc” Jensen, Jr., who admitted to sexually abusing numerous boys under the pretense of a program he claimed would improve their physical performance, was sentenced on Tuesday to 12 years in prison and to three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Jensen, 79, pleaded guilty in March to coercion and enticement. There was no plea agreement.
Chief U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen of Missoula presided.
Jensen, the prosecution said in court records, was an athletic trainer at the Custer County District High School in Miles City from the 1970s to about 1998. Jensen used the Internet to develop a so-called “Program” he employed to coerce minor male student-athletes into sexual activity saying it would increase their physical performance.
“For years, James Jensen manipulated and committed horrible abuse against many boys, causing emotional and physical harm that his victims still suffer today. Our sincere hope is that this prosecution of Jensen, holding him accountable for his abuse, will help close a chapter in the lives of his many victims and allow them, their families and friends along with the Miles City community to begin to heal,” U.S. Attorney Alme said. “We recognize that coming forward to report abuse is difficult, but if you or someone you know is being physically or sexually abused, please report it,” he said.
Victim interviews confirmed that Jensen engaged in this conduct until at least 1999 and after his association with Custer County District High School. In a September 2018 interview with law enforcement, Jensen admitted the basic tenants of “The Program,” saying he got information for its administration from the Internet and had applied it to numerous minor children.
One of Jensen’s relatives told law enforcement of seeing apparent computer print-outs of “The Program” among Jensen’s possessions. Another witness told investigators about seeing Jensen online and deceptively attempting to contact minor children, particularly boys, by creating a false identity. Internet searches on Jensen’s computer were consistent with sexual interest in children.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno Baucus, Bryan Dake and Tim Tatarka prosecuted the case, which was investigated in 2018 by the FBI and the Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation.
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Billings man convicted of meth distribution at bench trialRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A federal judge today convicted Billings resident Darrell Franklin Holliday on methamphetamine distribution charges after a two-day bench trial, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided and found Holliday, 48, guilty of all three counts in an indictment. Holliday was charged with possession with intent to distribute meth and two counts of distribution of meth. The trial began on Monday.
Holliday faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. He remains in custody pending sentencing.
Judge Watters will set a sentencing date.
Prosecutors presented evidence, including three witnesses, that Holliday was distributing meth in the Billings area and Montana beginning in August 2017. Investigators worked with a confidential informant, who obtained gram quantities of meth from Holliday in two controlled buys. In April 2018, Holliday provided officers a recorded statement in which he admitted to using meth daily when he had the chance. After his arrest, Holliday made statements during recorded jail calls implicating himself.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno Baucus and Karla Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the FBI.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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U.S. Department of Justice to host Protecting Houses of Worship TrainingRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—The U.S. Attorney’s Office is hosting a training program on Wednesday, July 24, at Blessed Trinity Church to share best practices for security at houses of worship.
The Protecting Houses of Worship program will take place from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Blessed Trinity Parish, 1475 Eaton St., in Missoula.
The free program will provide faith-based leaders and community members an opportunity to discuss and learn how to prevent and respond to hate crimes against places of worship. Topics will include an overview of religious hate crimes, preventing and responding to active shooter situations, hate crimes statistics and symbols and securing places of worship.
Speakers include U.S. Attorney Kurt G. Alme and representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Anti-Defamation League Pacific Northwest Regional Office.
The U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service and United States Attorney’s Office organized the program. Blessed Trinity Church is hosting the event.
All faith-based community leaders and members are welcome to attend. To obtain more information and/or RSVP for the event please e-mail [email protected].
Protecting Places of Worship forumXXX
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 July 16 was:
Seth James Todd, 25, of Laurel, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Todd faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Todd was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI task force and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Pacer case reference. 19-89.
Appearing on July 18 were:
Alejandro Herrera-Garcia, 34, of Watsonville, CA, and Mariano Herrera-Garcia, 45, of Royal Oaks, CA, 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 faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Both defendants were released pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI West Task Force. Pacer case reference. 16-119.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch and pleading not guilty on July 16 was:
Jose Daniel Ramirez, also known as Jose Danny Ramirez, 56, of Missoula, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a drug user. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ramirez faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Ramirez was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service and Montana Probation and Parole. Pacer case reference. 19-26.
Scott Michael Todd, 36, of Missoula, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a drug user. If convicted of the most serious crime, Todd faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Todd was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Missoula Police Department and Montana Probation and Parole. Pacer case reference. 19-25.
Gregory Scott Tolley, 58, of Superior, on charges of prohibited person in possession of firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Tolley faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Tolley was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI, Montana Violent Crime Task Force, Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Missoula Police Department. Pacer case reference. 19-27.
Appearing for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint on July 17 was:
Tony Gregory Amador Ortiz, hometown unknown, on charges of possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ortiz faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release. Ortiz was detained pending further proceedings. The case in being investigated by the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Pacer case reference. 19-49.
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-Air Force member from Kalispell sentenced for sexually exploiting childrenRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—A former U.S. Air Force service member who admitted using the internet to coerce minor boys into sending him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves was sentenced today to 15 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Raymond Larry Edward Kennedy, 24, of Kalispell, pleaded guilty in March to sexual exploitation of a child and to receipt of child pornography.
Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
An investigation began in February 2017, the prosecution said in court records, when the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls contacted an agent with Homeland Security Investigations and member of the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force seeking help with an online child exploitation case involving Kennedy. The Air Force discharged Kennedy on Feb. 6, 2017.
Investigators found that Kennedy met on Snapchat a minor boy who lived in Montana and ultimately determined that Kennedy had met five other minor boys who all lived in Montana. In Kennedy’s online communications with the boys from about July 2015 through June 2017, he coerced them into sending him images and videos of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The boys were all younger than 18 and lived in Kalispell, Big Fork and Great Falls.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee Peterson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
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Billings meth dealer sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Steven Amundson, a Billings man who admitted selling methamphetamine as part of a larger trafficking conspiracy, was sentenced on Thursday to 48 months in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Amundson pleaded guilty in October 2018 to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In April 2018, law enforcement began investing a meth conspiracy that was importing large quantities of meth into the Billings area, the prosecution said in court records. A confidential informant led agents to Amundson, from whom the informant bought ounce quantities of meth on multiple occasions. Agents also bought an ounce of meth from Amundson in a controlled buy. Amundson’s supplier was co-defendant Wilfrido Varelas-Rubio, who repeatedly brought multiple pound quantities of meth to Billings and provided multiple ounces to Amundson for redistribution. In a search of Varelas-Rubio’s hotel room and vehicle in Billings, agents found nearly 4.5 pounds of meth. Varelas-Rubio was convicted in the case and sentenced to nine years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, EMHIDTA and FBI.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Billings man sentenced to eight years for meth traffickingRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Billings resident Christopher Robert Hamilton, who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in the community, was sentenced today to eight years in prison and five years of supervised release, said U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Hamilton, 39, pleaded guilty in December to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
For about two months beginning in December 2017, Hamilton sold multi-gram quantities of meth on several occasions to an undercover agent as part of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigations, the prosecution said in court records.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Godfrey prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Billings spa operator admits transporting person for sexual activityRead the Press Release
BILILNGS – A Billings spa operator today admitted to bringing a woman from Nevada to Billings to provide commercial sexual activity at the business, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Scot Donald Petrie, 61, of Billings, pleaded guilty to transportation of a person with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and aiding and abetting. Petrie 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 and recommended Petrie’s plea be accepted by Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, who will sentence Petrie. Sentencing was set for Oct. 31. Petrie was released pending sentencing.
Prosecutors said in court records that beginning in June 2014, Petrie helped operate King Spa and A-Spa, which permitted individuals to live at both locations to provide legitimate message services and illegal commercial sexual services. Petrie was aware of the operations and services being provided. King Spa temporarily closed in December 2018, and Petrie helped re-open the spa to provide the services.
In January, Petrie used his debit card to buy a bus ticket for a woman to travel from Las Vegas to Billings to live and work at A-Spa. Because of a missed connection, Petrie went to Butte to pick up the woman to transport her back to Billings. The woman told law enforcement Petrie had contacted her while she was in Nevada and asked her to come to Montana. The woman said Petrie offered to pay for her bus ticket and provided her with condoms when she arrived in Billings. The woman performed commercial sexual activity, including intercourse, while staying at the spa in Billings.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno Baucus and Bryan Dake are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Billings meth trafficker sentenced to 12 years in prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A traffic stop that resulted in heroin being seized from the vehicle ultimately led to a Billings man getting sentenced to prison today for his role in a large methamphetamine conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Joe Roy Michael, 38, of Huntley, was sentenced to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Michael pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The prosecution said in court records that in June 2018, the Montana Highway Patrol made a traffic stop on Michael’s rental vehicle. Michael’s statements conflicted with statements by his passenger and co-defendant, Joshua Clause. The trooper had a K9 dog sniff around the vehicle and the dog alerted to the presence of drugs. A search warrant was executed on the vehicle, and officers found 104 grams of heroin.
Investigators learned from multiple sources that Michael and Clause were selling large amounts of meth in Billings. One source admitted to stealing a pound of meth from Michael. Law enforcement arrested Michael in September 2018 in Townsend, and a search of his vehicle led to the seizure of meth and a pistol.
Clause told law enforcement that he and Michael had imported several hundred pounds of meth from California to Billings for distribution in 2018. A pound of meth is the equivalent of about 3,624 doses. Clause was sentenced in April to 15 years in prison for his conviction in the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Billings Police Department.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Arizona drug dealer sentenced to 10 years in meth trafficking caseRead the Press Release
BILLNGS—An Arizona man convicted in a drug investigation in which law enforcement seized 34 pounds of methamphetamine in a suitcase he brought to Billings was sentenced on Wednesday to 10 years in prison and to five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Aldo Fabrizio Pardini, 30, of Mesa, AZ, pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute meth.
Thirty four pounds of meth is the equivalent of about 123,216 doses and has an estimated street value of $1.54 million.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
Prosecutors said in court records that a confidential informant for the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force learned in July 2018 from a source of meth named Oscar that a relative was flying to Billings from Salt Lake City to conduct the sale of 35 pounds of meth. The meth was coming from Oscar’s associates, who included Pardini and co-defendant Jorge Luis Mendez-Sanchez, of Mexico.
Agents identified another co-defendant, Jose Jesus Islava-Lopez, of Mexico, as Oscar’s relative and followed him from the Billings airport to a Billings hotel. Islava-Lopez checked into a room and met with Pardini in the parking lot. Pardini and Mendez-Sanchez, who were staying together in another room, had transported the meth for the proposed sale from Arizona in Pardini’s car.
Agents detained Islava-Lopez in the lobby. Islava-Lopez told the agents that Oscar had directed him to fly to Billings for a job, rent a room at the hotel and meet a person in a car in the parking lot. After meeting Pardini in the parking lot, Islava-Lopez went to Pardini’s room and took a suitcase Pardini gave him back to his own room. Investigators served search warrants on both hotel rooms and the vehicle and found about 34 pounds of meth in a suitcase in Islava-Lopez’s room.
Mendez-Sanchez was convicted in the case and sentenced to 57 months in prison, while Islava-Lopez also was convicted and sentenced to 65 months in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI West Task Force and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Lame Deer man sentenced in stabbings of two womenRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Lame Deer man who admitted stabbing two women on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation last year was sentenced today to 68 months in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Keyshawn Trey Sandcrane, 23, pleaded guilty in March to assault resulting in serious bodily injury and to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a dating partner.
U.S. District Judge Susan Watters presided.
The prosecution said in court records that Sandcrane, who has abused methamphetamine, marijuana and alcohol since he was 18, assaulted the victims on Nov. 12, 2018 in a Lame Deer residence. The first victim, his girlfriend, was in another room when she heard the second victim yell, “He’s trying to stab me.” The first victim went into the kitchen area and saw Sandcrane throw the second victim into the washer and dryer area. Sandcrane hit the first victim and slashed her face with a knife. Sandcrane also stabbed the second victim three times in the leg and arm. Both victims were treated for their injuries.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Dake prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Former elementary school teacher admits sexual abuse of minor on Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – An East Glacier woman who taught elementary school on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation today admitted to sexually abusing two students, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Sierra Shawnee Taylor, also known as Sierra Schildt, 36, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided and recommended Taylor’s plea be accepted by U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris, who will sentence Taylor. Sentencing was set for Nov. 6.
Taylor faces a maximum 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release.
In court records filed in the case, the prosecution said Taylor was employed as a teacher at the East Glacier Elementary School during the 2014-2015 school year. She taught a mixed-grade class that included some eighth-grade students. Taylor entered a sexual relationship with one of the boys, who was an eighth-grade student, and twice had intercourse with the victim. Investigators identified a second victim, also an eighth grade student, with whom Taylor committed a sexual act in 2012.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley is prosecuting 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 Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on July 11 was:
Adam Clark Young, 35, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of firearms and possession of a stolen firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Young faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Young was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-58.
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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Fort Belknap man admits aggravated sex abuseRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Fort Belknap man admitted on Thursday to sexually abusing a girl on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
James Edward Snell, Jr., 42, pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual abuse. Snell faces a minimum mandatory 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided and set sentencing for Oct. 24. Snell remains in custody.
Prosecutors said in court records that an investigation of Snell, and defendant Geneva Marie Nadeau, found photographs and videos of them in 2015 sexually abusing a girl, who was under the age of 12. Nadeau confirmed that Snell was in a photograph of a sex act involving the victim. Nadeau was sentenced in February to 22 years in prison and 15 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual abuse.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Weldon and Jared Cobell prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Bozeman area man charged with destruction of government propertyRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—A Bozeman area man appeared in court today on charges of destruction of government property, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
William David Hutton, 54, had an initial appearance on a criminal complaint before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch. Hutton waived a preliminary hearing. Judge Lynch detained Hutton pending further proceedings.
The complaint charges Hutton with destruction/attempted destruction of government property. Court documents allege Hutton drove his vehicle into an entrance of the Bozeman Federal Building, at 10 East Babcock St., on July 8.
The complaint is merely an accusation and Hutton is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hutton faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Starnes is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Federal Protective Service and Bozeman Police Department.
Pacer case reference. 19-mj-45-JCL. 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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Flathead County man with five pounds of meth in vehicle sentenced to 12 years in prisonRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—A Flathead County resident who admitted possessing methamphetamine for distribution after law enforcement found five pounds of the drug in his vehicle was sentenced today to 12 years in prison and to five years of supervised release, said U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
James William Quen, 49, of Coram, pleaded guilty in March to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The prosecution said in court records that Quen’s vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation on Dec. 16, 2017 in St. Regis. A search warrant was later served on the vehicle and law enforcement recovered five pounds of meth inside. Five pounds of meth is the equivalent of about 18,120 doses. Investigators also received information that Quen had gone to Oregon to get the meth and had supplied pound quantities to another person, who had seen Quen in possession of 10 pounds of meth.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Elliott prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Heart Butte man admits distributing meth to minorRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – Gary Allen Jimenez, a Heart Butte resident, admitted drug distribution charges today for providing a minor with methamphetamine on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Jimenez, 24, pleaded guilty to distribution of a controlled substance to a person under 21. Jimenez faces a minimum mandatory one year to 40 years in prison, a $2 million fine and at least six years to life of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided and set sentencing for Oct. 24. Jimenez is detained.
The prosecution said in court records that in early 2017, FBI agents began investigating allegations that persons on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation were providing meth and other drugs to minors. A juvenile girl was identified as being involved in such activity and communicated with potential meth dealers through Facebook. A search of the juvenile’s Facebook accounts identified Jimenez as being involved in illicit transactions with the juvenile, who at the time was between 12 and 14 years of age. The juvenile told law enforcement that he provided her with meth on multiple occasions and that they had smoked it together.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Starnes prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Blackfeet Tribal law enforcement.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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