District of Montana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Great Falls man sentenced to more than five years for meth possessionRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—A Great Falls man who admitted possessing methamphetamine for redistribution in Butte was sentenced today to 68 months in prison and to four of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Michael Joseph Jacobson, 57, pleaded guilty earlier to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The Russell Country Drug Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations became aware of Jacobson during a 2015 investigation into a meth ring in Great Falls. In April 2017, investigators learned that the ring’s out-of-state supplier had shipped a large amount of meth to Great Falls and that Jacobson was going to meet a co-conspirator to get meth. Agents saw Jacobson meet with the co-conspirator and stopped his vehicle after the meeting. During a search of Jacobson’s vehicle, agents found numerous cell phones and $8,000 in two wallets seized from Jacobson. Agents also told Jacobson to remove meth they had seen him insert into his person. Meth seized from Jacobson totaled about 17.5 grams, which is about 140 doses. The investigation also determined that Jacobson typically picked up meth in Great Falls for redistribution in Butte.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Russell Country Drug Task Force and HSI.
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.
XXX
Glendive man sentenced to 12 years in prison for meth, firearmRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Glendive man who admitted drug and firearm crimes after law enforcement found more than a pound of methamphetamine in his hotel room was sentenced on Tuesday to 12 years in prison and to five years of supervised release, said U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
John Allen Wagner, 40, pleaded guilty in November 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.
Law enforcement arrested Wagner after Billings Police officers responded to a complaint call at a downtown Billings hotel on April 21, 2018. When no one answered the door at the room referred to in the complaint, a staff member entered followed by the officers, who saw drug paraphernalia. About that time, Wagner, who was staying in the room, came walking down the hall. Officers asked Wagner to stop, but he ran. Officers chased and eventually caught Wagner. After getting a search warrant, law enforcement found more than 500 grams, or a little more than pound, of meth in Wagner’s hotel room and a handgun in his vehicle. A pound of meth is the equivalent of about 3,624 doses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by 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.
XXX
West Yellowstone woman sentenced to probation for defrauding employerRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—West Yellowstone resident Ann Bennett Hermanson was sentenced today to five years of probation and ordered to pay $479,730 restitution for embezzling from her employer over a seven-year period, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Hermanson, 54, pleaded earlier to wire fraud.
Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
Prosecution evidence showed that Hermanson worked for 15 years as a para-professional in the West Yellowstone office of a regional accounting and business services company. As a para-professional, Hermanson had access to bank account information and signature stamps for the company’s customers.
Starting in 2009 and continuing until April 2016, Hermanson embezzled about $630,327.88 from several accounts belonging to the company’s customers. She has repaid some of the money.
The thefts were discovered in April 2016 when a customer reported irregularities in her business account to the company’s corporate office.
Hermanson embezzled funds by writing checks to herself for personal credit card expenses and other bills and using customers’ signature stamps to sign the checks. She also obtained a duplicate credit card for one victim’s account and used it to make unauthorized purchases.
When approached by a company employee in April 2016 about suspicious transactions, Hermanson admitted to embezzling money. She also admitted the thefts to an FBI agent and identified five business accounts from which she stole money.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Racicot is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
XXX
Three ex-employees of Blackfeet Tribe’s Head Start Program sentenced in theft, fraudRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—Three former employees who had management positions with the Blackfeet Tribe’s Head Start Program were sentenced on April 11 to months in prison for their roles in an overtime pay scheme that defrauded the children’s assistance program of an estimated $174,000, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided at the sentencings for Theresa Marie Calf Boss Ribs, 51, of Browning, Patrick H. Calf Boss Ribs, Jr., 44, of Heart Butte, and Denise L. Sharp, 60, of Browning.
The three defendants each pleaded guilty earlier to theft from an Indian tribal government receiving federal funding and to wire fraud.
Morris sentenced Theresa Marie Calf Boss Ribs, who was the payroll manager, to 8 months in prison, two years of supervised release and ordered $139,096 in restitution.
Morris sentenced Patrick H. Calf Boss Ribs, Jr., who was the nutrition manager/payroll clerk, to 9 months in prison, two years of supervised release and ordered $139,096 in restitution and a $25,122 forfeiture.
Morris sentenced Sharp, who was the personnel manager, to nine months in prison, two years of supervised release and ordered $139,096 in restitution and a $29,033 forfeiture.
U.S. Attorney Alme said, “I hope that the sentencings of three former managers of the Blackfeet Head Start program will deter others from stealing from federally funds intended to help tribal members. The theft of $174,000 hurt the children enrolled in Head Start by prohibiting the purchase of books, barring the ability to obtain teaching materials and cutting food nutrition programs for those who need it most. We will continue to prosecute these cases to ensure that federal funds are used for the needs of those intended.”
The Blackfeet Tribe operates the Head Start Program with funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Head Start provides early childhood education and other services for low-income children and their families.
During a 15-month period, starting in April 2013, the defendants and others falsely claimed 5,850 hours of overtime and received more than $174,000 in overtime pay from the Head Start program. When the fraud was uncovered, two different firms audited the Blackfeet Head Start program. Both audits questioned the overtime claims, identifying them as “beyond necessary and reasonable” and lacking any supporting documentation.
The Blackfeet Tribe did its own internal review, agreed it could not justify the overtime claims and repaid HHS $250,620.29 for disallowed costs and other expenses.
After an on-site review of the program by government authorities from Washington, D.C., the defendants along with others met in a conference room. Despite not actually working the hours, everyone present in the room agreed to continue claiming overtime.
Theresa Calf Boss Ribs and Patrick H. Calf Boss Ribs, Jr. were in charge of monitoring the time cards. At the end of the pay period, individuals in the group would stop by to sign their time cards for the pay period. The time cards were already completed by the defendants and included false overtime hours.
Other Head Start workers told investigators they never saw Blackfeet Head Start personnel working late nights or on weekends. The program’s board chairman was unaware of the overtime claims and was unaware of any needs that would have justified the overtime claims by the defendants. Because of insufficient funds, he also had to identify necessary budget cuts.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Weldon prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General.
XXX
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 April 11 was:
JOSEPH MATTHEW BALLANTYNE, 60, on charges of failure to register as a sex offender. If convicted of the most serious charge, Ballantyne faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Ballantyne was detained. The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Pacer case reference. 19-42.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on April 11 was:
JAMES SNELL, 42, of Fort Belknap, on a 14-count indictment charging him with abusive sexual contact, sexual exploitation of a child and aggravated sexual abuse. If convicted of the most serious crime, Snell faces a minimum mandatory 30 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and from five years to life of supervised release. Snell was detained. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-20.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch and pleading not guilty on April 9 was:
GREGORY GEORGE DENNY, 46, of Great Falls, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Denny faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and five years of supervised release. Denny was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations. Pacer case reference. 18-24.
KENNETH SKUNKCAP, 62, of Browning, on charges of assault resulting in substantial injury to dating partner. If convicted of the most serious crime, Skunkcap faces a maximum five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Skunkcap was detained. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-22.
MARLIN LAYNE BULL CALF, 21, of Browning, on charges of strangulation. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bull Calf faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Bull Calf was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Pacer case reference. 19-21.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch and pleading not guilty on April 8 was:
JENNIFER LYNN FOLEY, 32, of Missoula, on charges of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm during drug trafficking crime. Foley was detained. If convicted of the most serious crime, Foley faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and a minimum five years of supervised release. Pacer case reference. 19-20.
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.
XXX
Flathead County man sentenced for illegal possession of machine gunRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—Flathead County resident Bruce Boone Wann was sentenced to four years in prison and three years of supervised release today after he admitted to illegally possessing a machine gun and other weapons crimes, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Wann, 62, of Kila, pleaded guilty in December to illegally possessing a machine gun, an unregistered silencer, a short barreled rifle and a destructive device, specifically, a grenade.
Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
Prosecution evidence showed that during an investigation that began in June, law enforcement learned that Wann had kept buried or hidden firearms, ammunition, a grenade, dynamite, and other items on various properties in the Marion area. Wann claimed he had stolen some of the items from a government bunker in California many years earlier.
Wann later broke into a Flathead County residence where he had previously arranged for a number of his other firearms to be stored. Wann then took not only his firearms, but also stole other firearms that did not belong to him. Investigators also learned Wann had made various threats of violence against people in Flathead County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Elliott and Taryn Meeks, a trial attorney with the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, prosecuted the case. The case was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Secret Service and Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.
XXX
Judge sentences three in Helena drug-related home invasionRead the Press Release
HELENA—A federal judge today sentenced a man and two women convicted of robbery and firearms charges stemming from a drug-related home invasion, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Gabriel Elijah Kane Arkinson, 32, of Billings, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release, while Jaime Nicole Milsten, 35, of East Helena, was sentenced to 10 years and five months in prison and five years of supervised release. A jury in October found both defendants guilty of of conspiracy to commit robbery affecting commerce, robbery affecting commerce and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
A third defendant, Melissa Dawn Shurtliff, 28, of Helena, was sentenced to seven years and nine months in prison and five years of supervised release. Shurtliff pleaded guilty to robbery affecting commerce and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Senior U.S. District Judge Charles C. Lovell presided.
Prosecutors at trial presented evidence that Arkinson and Milsten entered the residence of a Helena drug dealer on April 23, 2017 to steal drugs and drug proceeds. Arkinson was armed with a sawed-off shotgun, and Milsten searched the residence for drugs and money. A small amount of methamphetamine, U.S. currency and a cell phone were stolen. Shurtliff planned the robbery and acted as the getaway driver.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bartleson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Montana Regional Violent Crime 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.
XXX
Billings man admits meth trafficking, firearms crimesRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – Billings resident Chad Allen Beres admitted methamphetamine trafficking and firearm crimes during a hearing today, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Beres, 32, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Beres faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug counts. He also faces a mandatory consecutive five years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the firearm count.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided and will recommend Beres plea be accepted by U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters, who is hearing the case. Beres is detained.
In a court document filed in the case, the prosecution said evidence would show that Billings Police Department officers arrested co-defendant Christopher Hurst at a hotel on Feb. 27, 2018. During a search of the room, officers found meth and a firearm. Hurst admitted receiving from four to eight ounces of meth nearly every day from his suppliers and that he had received at least 15 pounds of meth that he distributed.
Agents identified Beres as a supplier of Hurst’s and also learned that co-defendant Larry Barnett also got meth from Beres. Agents served a search warrant on Beres’ residence and seized about 700 grams of meth, which is about 1.5 pounds and the equivalent of about 5,600 doses. Agents also seized three shotguns and two handguns.
Hurst and Barnett have pleaded guilty to charges and are awaiting sentencing. A fourth co-defendant, Maurice Fregia, has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, the FBI and BPD.
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.
XXX
Judge sentences Billings woman to four years in meth caseRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Billings woman who admitted possessing meth for distribution was sentenced on April 4 to four years in prison and four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Leah Summer Garcia, 41, pleaded guilty earlier to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
On April 19, 2018, Garcia, who was on state probation, was arrested on two outstanding warrants while she was at the jail visiting an inmate, prosecutors said in court records. In a search of the vehicle Garcia drove to the jail, law enforcement found an ounce of meth, which is the equivalent of about 224 doses. Garcia had been linked through drug-related text messages to others in an ongoing drug investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Suek 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.
Great Falls man admits possessing child pornRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – Great Falls resident Lothar Konrad Krauth on Monday admitted he received child pornography after an investigation found thousands of images on his computer and electronic storage devices, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Krauth, 81, pleaded guilty to receipt of child porn as charged in an indictment. Krauth faces a minimum mandatory five years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Judge Morris set sentencing for July 18 and continued Krauth’s release.
The prosecution said in court records that on Oct. 10, 2018, agents from the Homeland Security Investigations team in Great Falls received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The organization reported that the user of an internet provider address in Great Falls had uploaded an image of a nude prepubescent male. The address was identified as having been assigned to Krauth.
HSI agents and Great Falls police officers served a search warrant at Krauth’s residence on Oct. 26, 2018 and seized about 20 items of electronic media, including a desktop computer, nine external hard drives, six thumb drives and other items. Investigators then obtained a warrant to search all of the seized electronic media.
A forensic examination of Krauth’s desktop computer found about 400 images of child porn, while a subsequent analysis found thousands of child porn images. The majority of the child porn images depicted prepubescent children.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tom Bartleson and Cyndee Peterson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by HSI and the Great Falls Police Department.
XXX
Missoula couple, accountant charged with income tax fraudRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—A Missoula couple and their accountant on Thursday denied federal charges accusing them of conspiring to defraud the federal government by skimming money from two businesses and failing to report that income on tax returns, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Joseph Mark Baumgardner, 55, his wife, Traci Janelle Baumgardner, 48, both of Missoula, and their accountant, Daniel Brian Burke, 62, of Florence, pleaded not guilty to a 13-count indictment. The indictment charges all three with conspiracy to defraud the United States, subscribing to a false document and aiding and assisting the subscribing to a false document.
If convicted of the most serious crime, the defendants face a maximum five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
The indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch presided. He continued the release of all defendants pending trial.
The indictment alleges that the Baumgardners, with Burke’s assistance, filed false tax returns for the years 2011 through 2013 for their two businesses, which are Splash Car Wash and Pro Sweep Plus. During the period, the two businesses earned gross receipts totaling $5,001,374 while the total tax paid over the same time period was $10,066.
Splash Car Wash operated two car washes, one in Hamilton and one in Missoula. Pro Sweep Plus is an industrial maintenance company. Both companies are based in Missoula.
Burke, a certified public accountant who owned and operated Burke and Company, P.C., prepared the Baumgardners’ tax returns.
The Baumgardners’ elected to have their companies taxed as flow-through entities, which are known as S Corporations. Corporate income and expenses are reported to the IRS, with the information ultimately flowing to the individual income tax returns.
The indictment alleges the Baumgardners skimmed cash from Splash Car Wash in 2012 and 2013, and with Burke’s assistance, did not report the skimmed cash on their corporate tax returns and, consequently, on their individual tax returns.
In addition, the indictment alleges the couple, with Burke’s help, inappropriately deducted personal expenses on their corporate tax returns for the two companies, and, consequently on their individual tax returns.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Weldon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the IRS.
Pacer case reference. 19-14.
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.
XXX
Meth investigation that yielded 12 pounds and firearm sends Laurel man to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Laurel resident Jefferson Scott Perrigo, who admitted meth trafficking and firearms crimes, was sentenced on Thursday to 17 years in prison and five years of supervised release after agents found about 12.5 pounds of meth in his vehicle and a storage unit, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Perrigo, 45, pleaded guilty earlier to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. There was no plea agreement.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
Prosecutors said evidence showed that drug task force officers learned in the fall of 2017 from an informant and Crime Stoppers reports that Perrigo was distributing meth in Billings. The investigation involved using a confidential informant to make controlled meth buys from an associate of Perrigo’s known to deal meth for him and placing tracking devices on vehicles of both Perrigo and his associate. The vehicles frequented a storage unit in Billings. After getting a search warrant for Perrigo’s vehicle and the storage unit, agents found a semi-automatic handgun in a backpack, body armor and three packages of meth totaling about 2.5 pounds in the vehicle and 10 packages of meth, each weighing about a pound, in the storage unit. The amount of meth seized is the equivalent of about 45,359 doses.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cassady Adams and Lori Suek prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the FBI’s Big Sky Western Transnational Organized Crime 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.
XXX
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 to be innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on April 5 was:
MONWELL DWIGHT BOOTH, 38, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Booth faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-27.
KATRINA MARIE BOLEJACK, 24, of Billings, and DAVID ANDREW MEYERS, 24, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bolejack and Meyers face a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release. Bolejack and Meyers were detained. The case was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, the FBI and Billings Police Department. Pacer case reference. 19-26.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on April 2 was:
TANIA LONGTIN, 35, and JAMIE ALAN CORDELL, 45, both of Wyoming, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Longtin and Cordell face a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $4 million fine and five years of supervised release. Longtin and Cordell were detained. The case was investigated by Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Pacer case reference. 07-69.
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.
XXX
Crime Victims’ Rights Week will feature BBQ on Yellowstone County Courthouse LawnRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—To celebrate National Crime Victim’s Rights Week from April 7 to 13, there will be a free barbecue lunch and entertainment at the Yellowstone County Courthouse Lawn on April 12, U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Speakers at the event will include U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito, Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder, Billings Police Chief Rich St. John, Billings City Attorney Brent Brooks and Big Horn County Commissioner Sidney Fitzpatrick.
Crime Victims’ Rights Week challenges the nation to confront and remove barriers to full justice for all victims of crime. Each April, the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorneys’ offices observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week nationwide by honoring victims of crime and those who advocate on their behalf. The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, within the Office of Justice Programs, leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights week each year.
The BBQ event will recognize men and women who have gone above and beyond to help the community. The theme for this year’s celebration is, “Honoring our Past. Creating Hope for the Future.” For more information, visit https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw2019/overview.html.
The Crime Victim’s Rights Week barbecue is being sponsored by the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office Victim Specialist, the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office Victim/Witness Program, the Billings City Attorney’s Office Victim Specialists, FBI Victim Specialists, the U.S. Attorney’s Office Victim Specialist and the YWCA of Billings.
XXX
Man charged with making false statements involving international terrorismRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—A man who was arrested at a Bozeman shooting range on Wednesday after having recently traveled to Montana from New York appeared in court today on false statement and firearm charges. U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme for the District of Montana and Special Agent in Charge Paul Haertel of the FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office made the announcement.
Fabjan Alameti, 21, had an initial appearance on a criminal complaint before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch. The complaint charges Alameti with possession of a firearm by unlawful user of a controlled substance and with making false statements involving international terrorism.
Court documents filed in the case said law enforcement officers arrested Alameti without incident at a Bozeman shooting range. Alameti was taken into custody after he allegedly took possession of an M1A firearm he had rented.
“Fabjan Alameti recently moved to Bozeman from another state,” said Paul Haertel, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office. “We want to make it absolutely clear that Mr. Alameti has no known ties to Montana or any affiliation with the Muslim community in Bozeman,” he said.
The complaint is merely an accusation and Alameti is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted of the most serious crime, Alameti faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Judge Lynch ordered Alameti be detained. Alameti reserved his right to request a detention hearing at later date.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Starnes and Trial Attorney Rebecca Magnone, from National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
Pacer case reference. 19-mj-0029. The case may be followed 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.
XXX
Belgrade man sentenced for firearm violationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Belgrade man who admitted lying when he bought a semi-automatic pistol in Livingston was sentenced today to nine months of time served and one year of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Stacey James Wondra, 26, pleaded guilty on Dec. 6 to false statement during firearms transaction.
U.S. District Judge Susan Watters presided.
Prosecutors said evidence showed that Wondra was charged in Gallatin County in December 2017 with felony burglary and was released on conditions, including he not possess a firearm. On March 14, 2018, Wondra bought a 9mm semi-automatic pistol at a pawn shop in Livingston. On the paperwork for the transaction, Wondra answered “no” to whether he was under indictment or information for any felony charges. Wondra’s answer deceived the firearms dealer about his legal status for buying a firearm.
Five days later, Livingston police responded to a report of a person being held captive with a gun at a motel. Wondra and another person were hanging out at the motel and others confirmed that the pair had been handling the 9mm pistol throughout the weekend. The two got into an argument in the motel room, prompting law enforcement’s initial response. Wondra told officers he had purchased the gun a few days earlier, and the gun was found during a search of the room. Wondra then went back to the pawn shop that same day and pawned the gun he had purchased five days earlier.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Dake 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.
XXX
Arizona drug trafficker sentenced in meth conspiracyRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—An Arizona man who repeatedly brought pound loads of methamphetamine to Billings for distribution was sentenced today to nine years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Wilfrido Varelas-Rubio, 24, of Glendale, AZ, pleaded guilty earlier to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan Watters presided.
In April 2018, law enforcement drug task agents began investigating a meth trafficking conspiracy that was bringing large quantities of the drug to the Billings area, prosecution evidence showed. Agents learned from a variety sources that Varelas-Rubio led the conspiracy and repeatedly brought meth to the community. On June 15, 2018, agents were notified that Varelas-Rubio was in town, selling meth and staying at a hotel.
Investigators got a search warrant for Varelas-Rubio’s room and found him there. A search turned up 14 ounces of individually wrapped meth, $6,800 cash, four cell phones and a storage unit code. Varelas-Rubio was taken to the Yellowstone County Detention Facility as agents went to a storage unit, where Varelas-Rubio had rented a secured parking space. Officers seized a Buick Lucerne that was in the space and searched it after getting another warrant. Agents found about 3.5 pounds of meth in a sophisticated concealment compartment. Lab tests determined that all of the meth seized in the case was substantially pure. The total amount of meth seized was the equivalent of about 15,600 doses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force 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.
XXX
Billings drug dealer sentenced for meth, cocaine and firearmsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Billings resident Alexander Greybull, who admitted drug trafficking and firearms crimes, was sentenced today to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release after law enforcement found methamphetamine, cocaine and a gun in a 2017 traffic stop of a vehicle Greybull was driving, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Greybull, 31, pleaded guilty on Oct. 30 to five felonies, including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. There was no plea agreement.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters also ordered the forfeiture of $1,240 cash and a 9 mm handgun.
Prosecution evidence showed that Billings Police officers arrested Greybull after a traffic stop on May 21, 2017. Greybull, the driver, said he didn’t have his driver’s license on him and refused to give the officer his name or birth date. The officer asked Greybull to get out of the car. During a pat down, the officer felt a bag, which contained meth, in Greybull’s pocket.
Greybull still refused to provide his name was arrested for obstruction. The officer also found about $2,000 on Greybull and several “burner” phones near the front driver’s seat. Another officer spoke with a passenger and saw Greybull’s identification on the front seat in plain view. Officers called in a K-9 officer and the dog alerted on the vehicle. After getting a warrant to search the car, officer found several containers of meth, including in a small safe that was in the trunk, cocaine, a 9mm handgun with six ammunition cartridges and a 9mm hollow point cartridge. Drugs seized totaled about 673 grams of meth, which is nearly 1.5 pounds and the equivalent of about 5,600 doses, and 26 grams of cocaine, which is about 208 doses.
A search of the phones found in the vehicle indicated Greybull’s involvement in selling illegal drugs.
Greybull, who has two prior state felony convictions--for possession of dangerous drugs and for aggravated assault--was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Greybull also has three pending felony charges in state District Court in Yellowstone County, where he is charged with assault with a weapon, aggravating kidnapping and aggravated assault in the alleged beating of a woman and kidnapping of her and her children.
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.
XXX
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 and indictments handed down by the Grand Jury were unsealed. Indictments 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 March 25 was:
DYLAN BLAKE LAPLANT, 21, of Arlee, on charges of distribution of child pornography and receipt of child pornography. LaPlant is detained. If convicted of the most serious crime, LaPlant faces a five years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. The FBI investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 19-13.
ISSAC ELIAS SAENZ, 27, of Box Elder, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Saenz is detained. If convicted of the most serious crime, Saenz faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release. The FBI and Tri-Agency Drug Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 19-18.
JOSE DANIEL LOZOYA-CAMACHO, 25, of Mexico, on charges of illegal re-entry of a deported alien. Lozoya-Camacho is detained. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lozoya-Camaco faces a maximum two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol. Pacer case reference. 19-14.
LUIS RAUL LOZOYA-CAMACHO, 29, of Mexico, on charges of illegal re-entry of a deported alien. Lozoya-Camacho is detained. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lozoya-Camacho faces a maximum two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol. Pacer case reference. 19-14.
Appearing on March 28 was:
LAWRENCE MATTHEW BRASDA, 27, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Brasda faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 17-47.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on March 26 was:
JACK PRESTON COVERSUP, 56, of Moiese, on charges of sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact. If convicted of the most serious crime, Coversup faces a maximum life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Coversup was released pending trial. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-15.
CAMERON RIDESTHEHORSE, 35, of Lodge Grass, on charges of failure to register as a sexual offender. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ridesthehorse faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Ridesthehorse was detained. The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Pacer case reference. 19-37.
Appearing in Billings for an initial hearing on a complaint before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan on March 26 was:
JEREMY AARON SCHULER, 31, of Bellevue, WA, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Schuler faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. He was detained. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Pacer case reference. 19-29.
Appearing in Billings and pleading not guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan on March 27 was:
FRANKLIN NORTON, 41, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Norton faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release. Norton was detained. The case was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Pacer case reference. 19-35.
Appearing on March 28 was:
DANA BEARROBE, 39, of Busby, on charges of failure to register as a sex offender. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bearrobe faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. He was detained. The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshal’s Service. Pacer case reference. 19-38.
DANIEL MARK TANNER, 32, of Cut Bank, on charges of abusive sexual contact. If convicted of the most serious crime, Tanner faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. He was detained. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-19.
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.
XXX
Informational: Federal Court appearanceRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following person had an initial appearance today in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Jeremiah C. Lynch on a criminal complaint. Criminal complaints are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
CHARLES GIBSON BAILEY, 32, of West Yellowstone, on charges of possession of a firearm by a person who is subject to a court order that restrains such person from harassing, stalking or threatening an intimate partner of such person. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bailey faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Bailey was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Yellowstone Police Department. Pacer case reference. 19-26-m-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.
XXX
Bozeman woman admits using money management service to defraud court-appointed clientsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – A Bozeman woman who ran a money management service for court-appointed clients unable to manage their own finances on Tuesday admitted embezzling funds from the clients and spending most of the money on gambling debts, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Ellen Lorraine Van Ausdol, 77, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and to making and subscribing to a false income tax return. Van Ausdol faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch presided. He will recommend Van Ausdol’s plea be accepted by Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, who is hearing the case. Sentencing was set for July 19. Van Ausdol was released.
Prosecution evidence showed that Van Ausdol operated a fiduciary business, called Fiduciary Consulting and Management. The business provided money management services for court-appointed clients, many of whom have mental deficiencies and lacked the ability to manage their own money.
An investigation found that Van Ausdol embezzled from her clients during a six-year period that started in about 2010 and ended in April 2016. Van Ausdol told law enforcement that she used the majority of the money to cover her gambling expenses.
In addition, Van Ausdol’s theft resulted in her owing the IRS additional income tax for the six-year period. In one of the tax counts, Van Ausdol signed a tax return for 2014, omitting the total amount of income from embezzled funds for that year.
The parties have not resolved the total fraud loss or tax loss and will address those issues at sentencing. The prosecution is alleging the fraud loss is $444,000 and the income tax loss is $52,894.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Weldon prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the IRS and FBI.
XXX
White House announces Presidential Task Force on Protecting Native American Children in the Indian Health Service SystemRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON—President Donald J. Trump today announced the formation of a Presidential Task Force on Protecting Native American Children in the Indian Health Service System.
The task force will examine any systemic problems that may have led to failures of the IHS to protect Native American children. The task force will develop recommended policies, protocols and best practices to protect Native American children and prevent abuse.
“I welcome the creation of this task force. Keeping Native American children safe is a critical government function,” U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. “I also hope that our office’s prosecution of Dr. Stanley Weber, a former IHS pediatrician who practiced on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, sends a strong message that those who sexually abuse children will be held accountable and that we will seek justice for victims,” Alme said.
Weber was convicted at trial of aggravated sex abuse of a child, attempted aggravated sex abuse of a child and abusive sexual contact of a minor. He was sentenced in January to 220 months in prison. Weber is appealing.
Blackfeet Nation Chairman Timothy F. Davis said, “This task force is charged with a monumental task. It is imperative and crucial all children be protected from assault. Therefore, it is with much anticipation and excitement we look forward to the work the task force will undertake to not only develop policies, protocols and best practices that will insure the safety of our children now and in the future, but also I am especially delighted to learn of the appointment of pediatrician Dr. Caitlin Hall, MD, FAAP, as a subject matter expert with whom I had the privilege of working with at Blackfeet Community Hospital.
“As a tribal leader, and being personally familiar with the crime committed on our Blackfeet Nation, I wholeheartedly welcome this opportunity to interact with the White House Task Force to provide input on addressing and finding solutions to this systemic problem that must be eradicated and as promised, never ever occur again anywhere,” Chairman Davis said.
This task force’s focus is separate and distinguishable from other investigations into the Indian health system. Specifically, the work of the task force will not interfere with: (1) the criminal investigation of one particular pediatrician; (2) a review underway at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including a review by the Department’s Inspector General, which HHS Secretary Azar ordered earlier this year; or (3) a review conducted by an outside, independent contractor retained by the Indian health system.
The task force will be comprised of subject-matter experts from several United States Government agencies, and co-chaired by Joseph Grogan, Assistant to the President of Domestic Policy, and U.S. Attorney Trent Shores, for the Northern District of Oklahoma, and citizen of the Choctaw Nation. The task force will also draw on the expertise of other federal employees and resources and seek perspective an input from tribal leaders and Native American voices.
XXX
Sexual exploitation of minor sends Kalispell man to prison for 15 yearsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—A Kalispell man who was convicted of creating a sexually explicit video of a minor girl was sentenced recently to the minimum mandatory 15 years in prison, 10 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $3,000 restitution, said U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Allen Duane Turman, 44, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child during a Nov. 29 hearing.
Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided at the March 22 sentencing.
Prosecution evidence showed that in October 2017, a law enforcement officer received a call about a thumb drive that belonged to Turman. A forensic analysis of the device showed it contained a sexually explicit video of a girl who was under the age of 18. By looking at other files on the thumb drive, law enforcement determined that Turman had created the video.
When interviewed in April 2018, Turman told law enforcement that the victim had stayed with him but that he was using drugs at the time and his memory was poor. While he could not specifically remember making the video on the thumb drive, he did not dispute he created it.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee Peterson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.
XXX
Billings man sentenced to eight years in prison in heroin, meth conspiracyRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Billings resident Clayton James Edwards, who admitted making multiple drug runs to Salt Lake City to get heroin and methamphetamine for redistribution back in Billings, was sentenced on March 21 to eight years in prison and five years of supervised release, said U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Edwards, 35, pleaded guilty on Oct. 9 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
Prosecution evidence showed that during a six-month period, from January to June 2017, Edwards and another person made trips to Salt Lake City about every five days to get heroin and meth from multiple suppliers. Edwards told investigators that he would use and sell the heroin. The prosecution said Edwards was being held accountable for a conservative estimate of 24 ounces of heroin, which is the equivalent of about 6,800 doses, and eight pounds of meth, which is the equivalent of about 28,992 doses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus 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.
XXX
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned this week before U.S. Magistrate judges and indictments handed down by the Grand Jury were unsealed. Indictments 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 March 21 was:
JAMES KEITH BELLROCK, JR., 43, of Hardin, on charges of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a dating partner and assault of a dating partner by strangulation. Bellrock is detained. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bellrock faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-11.
FRED LEWIS CUTSINGER, 31, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Cutsinger is detained. If convicted of the most serious crime, Cutsinger faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Pacer case reference. 19-16.
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.
XXX
Illegal possession of firearms sends Billings man to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Billings resident William Thomas Fischer, Jr., was sentenced to five years in prison and three years of supervised release on Thursday for illegally possessing firearms, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Fischer, 58, pleaded guilty on Nov. 20 to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The prosecution said that on July 2, 2018, a Billings Police Department officer conducted a traffic stop in which Fischer was the driver and was wanted on an arrest warrant. The officer saw Fischer place two small bindles of suspected methamphetamine in his mouth and removed Fischer from the vehicle in an attempt to prevent him from swallowing the bindles. Officers were unable to locate the bindles.
A BPD K9 dog gave a positive alert to the odor of narcotics, and the vehicle was seized pending a search warrant issued later the same day. During the search, officers found two firearms, a 12-gauge shotgun and an SKS semi-automatic rifle. Two days later, Fischer told a woman in a recorded call from jail that, “there were two guns in the car.”
Fischer was convicted in 2003 for felony possession of a firearm by an unlawful user and addict of a controlled substance.
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.
XXX
Bozeman father, son sentenced for heroin traffickingRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—A father and his son who admitted distributing heroin they obtained in Denver to customers in the Bozeman area were sentenced to prison this week, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen on Wednesday sentenced Kyle Brooks, 65, of Bozeman, to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Judge Christensen on Thursday sentenced Kyle Brooks’ son, Ian Brooks, 28, of Bozeman, to 14 months in prison and four years of supervised release. Judge Christensen also ordered the forfeiture of $56,450 seized in the case.
Kyle Brooks pleaded guilty on Nov. 1 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and to possession with intent to distribute heroin. Ian Brooks pleaded guilty on Oct. 31 to possession with intent to distribute heroin.
In June 2018, the Missouri River Drug Task Force began investigating Kyle and Ian Brooks for distributing heroin, learned they had a number of customers in the Bozeman area and that they were planning an out-of-town trip to get more heroin, the prosecution said in court records. After that trip, law enforcement surveilled the pair for weeks and witnessed them conduct numerous drug sales.
On July 13, officers monitored a car Kyle and Ian Brooks drove to Denver, where it stopped at a strip mall for about an hour before returning to Bozeman. Law enforcement stopped the car when it returned to Bozeman on July 16, served a search warrant on the vehicle and found three bags of heroin, containing a total of 204.33 grams of heroin, which is the equivalent of about 2,040 doses, 10 vials with syringes, a bottle of unknown pills and $56,456 cash. A laboratory analysis determined there also was about 2 grams of diclazepam, a controlled substance.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley prosecuted the case which was investigated by the Missouri River 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.
XXX
Butte man sentenced for meth, firearms found in truckRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—A Butte man who admitted to having methamphetamine and firearms in his pickup truck after a police officer found him asleep and slumped over the steering wheel while the vehicle was running was sentenced to prison on Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Chief U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen sentenced Joseph Patrick Walsh, 40, to 72 months and one day in prison, to run concurrent to a state sentence, and to five years of supervised release.
Walsh pleaded guilty in October to possession with intent to distribute meth and to possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Walsh was indicted after a Manhattan Police Department officer on Feb. 11, 2018 conducted a welfare check on a suspicious pickup truck that was parked in Manhattan. The officer found the truck running with Walsh slumped over the steering wheel, asleep, the prosecution said.
The officer woke up Walsh, who said he hadn’t been drinking but was a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. Walsh acknowledged there was marijuana and meth in the center console. He opened the console and handed the officer two 9mm semi-automatic pistols and a glove, which contained 53.2 grams of pure meth. Fifty three grams of meth is the equivalent of about 424 doses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Racicot prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Manhattan 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.
XXX
Montana U.S. Attorney’s Office collects $15.3 million in civil and criminal actions for fiscal year 2018Read the Press Release
BILLINGS—Montana's U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced today that the District of Montana collected $15,351,505.81 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2018. Of this amount, $7,510,702.15 was collected in criminal actions and $7,840,803.56 was collected in civil actions. In some cases, the U.S. Attorney’s Office worked in conjunction with ligating components of the U.S. Department of Justice.
“I want to thank the dedicated employees in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and in particular, the Financial Litigation Unit, for their hard work in successfully recovering money for the benefit of crime victims and the U.S. Treasury,” said U.S. Attorney Alme. “It is critical that victims of crime are made whole, that criminals are divested of their illegal gains and that this office works hard to recover the just debts of our government,” he said.
“The men and women of the U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country work diligently, day in and day out, to see that the citizens of our nation receive justice. The money that we are able to recover for victims and this country as a whole is a direct result of their hard work,” Director James A. Crowell, IV, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys.
As a whole, the Justice Department collected nearly $15 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2018. The $14,839,821,650 in collections in FY 2018 represents nearly seven times the appropriated $2.13 billion ($2,136,750,000) budget for the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices.
The U.S. Attorneys’ offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims and to the U.S. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Internal Revenue Service, the Small Business Administration and the Department of Education.
Additionally, the U.S. Attorneys’ offices, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $30,272,272 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2018. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes. Forfeited assets include currency and bank accounts, real property and cars purchased with illegal proceeds or used to facilitate crimes, guns held by convicted felons, and computers used for child pornography.
XXX
Wolf Point man admits charge in fatal crashRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – Wolf Point resident Andrew Preston Martell admitted on Monday he had been drinking and driving under the influence on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation last October when he crashed his vehicle, killing one of his passengers, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Martell, 32, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. He faces a maximum eight 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 June 27. Martell is detained.
Prosecutors said the crash occurred at about 10 p.m. on Oct. 1, 2018 on a county road known as Swimming Pool Road, near Wolf Point. Martell had been drinking alcohol heavily throughout the evening and was driving around the reservation with two female passengers. Martell drove off the straight road and crashed in a ditch. The vehicle rotated and rolled end over end coming to rest on the driver’s side. All three occupants were trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by emergency responders. One of the passengers was impaled by a crutch in the vehicle and died at the scene. Martell’s blood alcohol concentration was about 0.182 percent.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassady Adams prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Montana Highway Patrol, Wolf Point Police Department and Fort Peck Tribes Law Enforcement.
###
Poplar man admits stabbingRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – Poplar resident Michael Cody Wolf today admitted he stabbed a woman in the back, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Wolf, 24, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Wolf faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He is detained.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided and set sentencing for June 27.
The prosecutor said evidence would show that the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call on March 20, 2018 that a woman had been stabbed at a Poplar apartment, on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Wolf was taken into custody at the scene and advised of his rights. Wolf told an officer that he “kinda snapped.”
The victim told law enforcement that Wolf had been out of his mental health medication for four days when the stabbing occurred. The victim felt something hit her in the back and realized she had been stabbed. The victim was flown to Billings Clinic and treated for life-threatening injuries.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Peck Tribal Police and FBI.
XXX
Judge sentences Great Falls man to four years in prison for firearms crimeRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—A federal judge today sentenced a Great Falls man, who said his job was to collect drug debts, to 48 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Justin Carlton Whitman, 37, pleaded guilty in December to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Judge Morris also ordered the forfeiture of a 9mm semi-automatic pistol that was seized in the case.
Prosecutors said evidence showed that because of a 2013 conviction, Whitman was prohibited from possessing firearms. Whitman was charged with the firearms crime after a 911 call on Feb. 4, 2017 by a Great Falls man who said his grandson came to his home and told him there were people in a SUV parked in the driveway. The people had a gun and were demanding money. The grandson also said Whitman was in the car and had a pistol in his waistband as well as a machete.
Great Falls police officers responded and found the SUV still in the driveway. Officers identified Whitman as the driver and there was a female was in the front passenger seat. The officer had both of them get out of vehicle. Once out, the officer saw a black machete tucked between the front driver’s seat and the center console. Police obtained consent to search the vehicle and seized the machete as well as a 9mm semi-automatic pistol from the center console.
Whitman went to the police station for an interview and told officers about the incident that led to the 911 call. He acknowledged that his job was to collect drug debts in Great Falls and was supposed to collect money that evening. Whitman also admitted he possessed the pistol found in the center console but that it originally belonged to someone else.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Great Falls 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.
XXX
Browning man pleads guilty to strangulationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Browning man on Monday admitted to strangling a woman during an argument in a vehicle on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in September 2018, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Elijah Blaine Eagleman, 24, pleaded guilty to strangulation during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris.
Eagleman faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He is detained.
Prosecutors said evidence would show that on Sept. 8, 2018, Eagleman hit and strangled the victim near Browning, on the Blackfeet Reservation. The victim lost consciousness after Eagleman choked her with his left forearm and does not recall being hit in the face by Eagleman. The victim said in a statement that the two of them had been arguing.
A law enforcement officer responded after a woman reported to law enforcement that she had stopped at a domestic assault at the intersection of U.S. Highways 2 and 89, at the Y, near Browning. She said a man was on top of a female, who appeared to be trying to wave her down. The officer approached the vehicle and saw that the victim, who was the driver, had fresh bruises on her face and was crying. The officer had the victim get out and walk to the back of the vehicle, where she said Eagleman had hit her but that she was “okay now.” The victim was treated at the Indian Health Service and released the next morning.
In an interview with the case agent, the victim said Eagleman had wrapped his forearm around her neck and pulled her backward into his seat, choking her. The agent observed injuries to the victim’s face and neck as being consistent with a strangulation assault.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Blackfeet Tribal Police.
XXX
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned this week before U.S. Magistrate judges and indictments handed down by the Grand Jury were unsealed. Indictments 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 March 12 was:
OSCAR ANTONIO VALENZUELA, 27, of Los Angeles, CA, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. Valenzuela was detained. If convicted of the most serious crime, Valenzuela faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the FBI’s Big Sky West Transnational Organized Crime Task Force. Pacer case reference. 18-127.
ALEXANDER FELIZ BULLTAIL, 27, of Billings, on charges of receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment for a felony. Bulltail was detained. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bulltail faces a maximum five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-13.
BIRD CORDELL, 24, of Billings, on charges of misappropriation of postal funds. Cordell was released pending trial. If convicted of the most serious crime, Cordell faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Pacer case reference. 19-12.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on March 13 was:
ALPHONSE BIRD, 83, of Browning, on charges of aggravated sexual abuse and sexual abuse. Bird was detained. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bird faces a maximum life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-14.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch and pleading not guilty on March 14 was:
DEREK ALAN DEMBOWSKI, 41, of Thompson Falls, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, distribution of meth, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and felon in possession of a firearm. Dembowski was detained. If convicted of the most serious crime, Dembowski faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-10.
HATTIE MICHELLE REESE, 31, of Missoula, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. Reese was released. If convicted of the most serious crime, Reese faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-11.
JUAN GERONIMO PINA, 38, of Washington, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. Pina was detained. If convicted of the most serious crime, Pina faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-11.
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.
XXX
Former Air Force member admits child sexual exploitation chargesRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – A former U.S. Air Force service member on March 14 admitted to charges accusing him of enticing minor boys in Montana he met online into sending him sexually explicit images of themselves, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Raymond Larry Edward Kennedy, 24, of Kalispell, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and to receipt of child pornography. Kennedy faces a mandatory minimum 15 years to 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. He is detained.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch presided. Judge Lynch will recommend Kennedy’s plea be accepted by Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, who is hearing the case.
Prosecutors said an investigation began in February 2017 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.
The investigation found that Kennedy met a minor boy who lived in Montana on Snapchat and ultimately determined that Kennedy had met six minor boys who all lived in Montana. In Kennedy’s online communications with the boys from about July 2015 through June 2017, he received sexually explicit images of the boys’ genitals. The boys were all younger than 18 and lived in Kalispell, Big Fork and Great Falls. Law enforcement determined that Kennedy induced and persuaded one of the boys to produce a sexually explicit image of himself, which he sent to Kennedy.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee Peterson is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
XXX
Minnesota couple sentenced to supervised release for possessing nearly 1,000 pounds of marijuanaRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A federal judge today sentenced a Minnesota couple to one day of time served in custody and to five years of supervised release after they were arrested in Miles City with nearly 1,000 pounds of marijuana in their recreational vehicle, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Steven Thomas Robinson, 59, and his wife, Vicki Lynn Robinson, 60, of Milaca, Minn., each pleaded guilty in November to possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
U.S. District Judge Susan Watters presided.
Steven Robinson faced a guideline range of 37 months to 46 months in prison, while Vicki Robinson faced a guideline range of 30 months to 37 months in prison.
In sentencing the couple, Judge Watters said Steven Robinson had serious health problems and that the couple cooperated with law enforcement.
On Aug. 30, 2017, the Montana Highway Patrol’s Eastern Montana Interdiction Task Force received information from a Minnesota drug task force that an RV was transporting a large quantity of marijuana from California to Minnesota. The Montana Highway Patrol located the RV in a Walmart parking lot in Miles City and began surveilling the vehicle. The RV left the parking lot and stopped at the Gold Dust Casino parking lot. Officers saw two occupants of the RV leave the casino and head to the RV. The officers approached and began talking to the couple, identified as the Robinsons.
When the officers asked for license and registration documents, Vicki Robinson said the registration was in the RV. When she opened the door, officers smelled a strong order of raw marijuana. A police K-9 then alerted to the vehicle.
Steven Robinson agreed to speak with officers and admitted there was about 800 pounds of marijuana in the RV and that he was transporting it. He told officers he had delivered before and was paid $20,000. He also consented to a search of the RV and his cell phone. Officers found about 960 pounds of marijuana.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Godfrey prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
XXX
Crow Agency woman admits assaulting elderly man while on methamphetamineRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Crow Agency woman admitted today to attacking and seriously injuring an elderly man while she was under the influence of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Melissa Ann Prettypaint-Alvarado, 41, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury during a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan. Judge Cavan will recommend Prettypaint-Alvarado’s plea be accepted by U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters, who is hearing the case.
Prettypaint-Alvarado faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. She was detained.
Prosecutors said evidence would show 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 Reservation. The 77-year-old victim said Prettypaint-Alvarado got angry with him and attacked him while he was lying on a bed. Prettypaint-Alvarado hit him 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 ultimately 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.
In an interview with law enforcement, Prettypaint-Alvarado admitted she is a meth user and was on meth at the time she assaulted the victim.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Suek prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
XXX
Crow Agency man sentenced for assault, witness tamperingRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Crow Agency man convicted of beating his partner on the Crow Reservation and of trying to get her to not testify about the assaults was sentenced on March 13 to a total of 78 months in prison, with credit for 106 days for time spent in tribal custody, and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Lansing Zachary Rock Above, 34, pleaded guilty in November to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a spouse or intimate partner and to tampering with a witness.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
“Offenders who assault women will be prosecuted,” U.S. Attorney Alme said. “Those who also try to intimidate or threaten victims will be prosecuted again to the full extent of the law. Victims need to know they can come forward and we will use the criminal justice system to protect them,” Alme said.
Prosecutors said Rock Above beat and strangled his intimate partner on Feb. 23 and 24, 2018 in Crow Agency on the Crow Reservation. The victim was treated for bruises and injuries to her head, neck and teeth. In March 2018, Rock Above called the victim five times on a recorded phone line from the Big Horn County Detention Facility, in Basin, Wyo., and attempted to convince the victim to not testify against him and to say nothing happened. In one of the calls, Rock Above said his case would be dismissed and asked the victim, “You got my back, right?”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and FBI.
XXX
Former Miles City athletic trainer admits coercion, enticement chargesRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – Former high school athletic trainer James E. “Doc” Jensen, Jr., of Miles City, today admitted charges that he coerced or enticed multiple minors into sexual activity, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced.
Jensen, 79, pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement. There was no plea agreement.
Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Sentencing is set for July 30 in Billings. Jensen is detained.
Jensen faces a maximum 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Prosecutors said evidence would show Jensen obtained information from the Internet to develop a so-called “Program” that he used to coerce minor male student-athletes into sexual activity saying it would increase their physical performance. Jensen also used the telephone to contact victims about “The Program.”
Jensen, who was an athletic trainer at the Custer County District High School in Miles City from the 1970s to about 1998, knew that the student athletes were minors. Victim interviews would confirm that Jensen engaged in this conduct until at least 1999 and after his association with Custer County District High School.
Jensen admitted in a September 2018 interview the basic tenants of “The Program,” saying he got information for its administration from the Internet and had applied it to hundreds of minor children.
A relative of Jensen also told law enforcement about seeing apparent computer print-outs of “The Program” among Jensen’s possessions. Another witness told law enforcement 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 and Bryan Dake prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.
XXX
Billings man admits drug trafficking, firearms chargesRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Billings man accused of selling methamphetamine, morphine and oxycodone admitted to drug and firearms charges today, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Kevin James Maslen, 55, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided and will recommend Maslen’s plea be accepted by U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters, who is hearing the case. Maslen was a released pending sentencing.
Maslen faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release.
Prosecutors said evidence showed that beginning in June 2017, an undercover agent bought methamphetamine, morphine and oxycodone from Maslen. In one of the buys, the undercover agent bought morphine and two firearms from Maslen. A search warrant was executed on Maslen’s residence in May 2018 and law enforcement found about 30 grams of meth, 83 oxycodone tablets and additional firearms. Maslen admitted to dealing in meth and pills during an interview with the Drug Enforcement Administration. The total amount of meth seized was about 78 grams.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Godfrey prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the DEA and 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.
XXX
Mexico citizen arrested in Glacier National Park sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—A Mexico citizen arrested in Glacier National Park was sentenced today to six months in prison and to two years of supervised release for conviction of being in the United States illegally, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Luis Alejandro Lopez-Solis, 38, pleaded guilty in December to illegal re-entry.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
On Sept. 24, 201, while on routine patrol of the Goat Haunt area in Glacier National Park, park personnel told St. Mary Border Patrol agents of a suspicious person walking south from the Goat Haunt Ranger Station area. Border Patrol agents searched and found Lopez-Solis talking to a park law enforcement ranger on a trail south of the ranger station. Lopez-Solis was taken to the ranger station for an interview. Lopez-Solis, who was in wet clothing and shivering, said he had fallen into a nearby creek while trying to cross it.
Agents arrested Lopez-Solis and flew him by helicopter from the ranger station to the St. Mary Border Patrol Station for further investigation. He confirmed he was a citizen of Mexico.
Lopez-Solis told agents he left Mexico on Sept. 21, 2018 and had arrived the same day in Canada. There, he rented a car and traveled to Waterton, Alberta, where on Sept. 24 he started walking south, crossing into the United States, until he got found by the National Park Service rangers. He said his plan was to follow the NPS trail system to Chief Mountain where his girlfriend was going to pick him up.
Lopez-Solis was deported in May 2017 after conviction on passport fraud. He did not have permission to reenter the United States.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by U.S. Border Patrol and Glacier National Park Law Enforcement.
XXX
Great Falls man sentenced for illegally possessing firearmRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—A federal judge today sentenced Great Falls resident Marcus Wayne Logan, 44, to 14 months in prison and to three years of supervised release for illegally possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Logan pleaded guilty in October to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
An investigation found that the Montana State Prison released Logan on Feb. 26, 2018 and directed him to report to the probation and parole office in Great Falls. Logan, who had two prior felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing firearms, signed a Firearms Regulation form acknowledging he was prohibited from possessing firearms. Logan checked in with probation but failed to show up for subsequent appointments. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
Law enforcement ultimately arrested Logan in a traffic stop on April 18. In a search of the vehicle, a probation officer found a loaded, .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol in a backpack belonging to Logan.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Great Falls 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.
XXX
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned this week before U.S. Magistrate judges and indictments handed down by the Grand Jury were unsealed. Indictments 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 Feb. 27 was:
JAMES MICHAEL GARCIA, 26, of Brockton, on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and felony child abuse alleged to have occurred on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. If convicted of the most serious crime, Garcia faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Garcia was detained. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-07.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan, and pleading not guilty on Feb. 27 was:
JONATHAN LEVI DEPUTEE, 42, of Hardin, on charges of failure to register as a sexual offender. If convicted of the most serious crime, Deputee faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Deputee was detained. The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Pacer case reference. 19-17.
MELISSA ANN PRETTYPAINT-ALVARADO, 41, of Crow Agency, on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury alleged to have occurred on the Crow Indian Reservation. If convicted of the most serious crime, Prettypaint-Alvarado faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Prettypaint-Alvarado was detained. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-21.
ZACHARY BENEDICT LEE, 33, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lee faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Lee was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-20.
Appearing on Feb. 26 and pleading not guilty was:
KENNETH CLARENCE ALTMAN, 26, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Altman faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Altman was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-02.
RALPH KENNETH COSTA, 34, of Crow Agency, on charges of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a dating partner alleged to have occurred on the Crow Indian Reservation. If convicted of the most serious crime, Costa faces a maximum five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Costa was detained. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-14.
AMBER LYNN LANPHEAR, 33, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lanphear faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Lanphear was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-19.
LAWRENCE ALEX FOSTER III, 46, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, attempted possession and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Foster faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release. Foster was detained. The case was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Pacer case reference. 19-18.
CRAIG AARON YEATES, 34, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, attempted possession of meth with intent to distribute and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Yeates faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Pacer case reference. 19-24.
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.
XXX
Judge sentences Billings man to prison for firearms crimesRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Billings man convicted at trial of firearms crimes was sentenced to five years in prison and three years of supervised release on Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Jerome Lawrence Wigmore Jr., 49, was convicted in a two-day jury trial in October on all three counts, including felon in possession of firearms, possession of an unregistered firearm and possession of a firearm not identified by a serial number.
Prosecutors presented evidence that law enforcement officers served an arrest warrant on Wigmore in a Billings motel room on Jan. 4, 2018. Officers found that Wigmore possessed a .357-caliber revolver and a .22 caliber weapon made from a rifle, which was not identified by a serial number. Wigmore is prohibited from possession firearms because of a prior felony conviction for aggravated assault in Rosebud County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Marshals Service Montana Violent Offenders Task Force and 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.
XXX
Illegal possession of sawed-off shotgun sends Billings man to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Billings resident Randy Dwayne Watts, who admitted to illegal possession of a sawed off shotgun, was sentenced on Wednesday to 57 months in prison and to three years of supervised release, said U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Watts, 51, pleaded guilty in October to being a prohibited person in possession of firearms.
U.S. District Judge Susan Watters presided.
Watts was indicted after a traffic stop on Jan. 17, 2018 in which a Yellowstone County Sheriff’s deputy pulled over a vehicle that ran a red light. Watts was in the front passenger seat. A loaded, sawed off shotgun was visible between Watts and the door. The driver said the car belonged to Watts, and Watts claimed not to know there were any guns in the car. On the rear driver’s side floorboard was a loaded .22-caliber pistol. Watts was arrested on warrants. A K-9 dog altered to the car and a search warrant was obtained. Law enforcement officers found six baggies containing a total of about 12 grams of methamphetamine. Watts was prohibited form possessing firearms because of previous convictions in California and Montana.
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.
Great Falls woman sentenced in meth caseRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—Great Falls resident Macedonia Frances Mondragon, who hid methamphetamine inside her body, was sentenced on Wednesday to 66 months in prison and four years of supervised release for conviction of possessing meth, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Mondragon, 33, pleaded guilty in November to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
Prosecutors said Mondragon initially was arrested on warrants after Great Falls police officers responded to a shoplifting report involving four individuals on March 16, 2018 at Walmart. Officers searched Mondragon’s purse and found stolen items, a cell phone, drug paraphernalia and a notebook that appeared to be a drug ledger. Officers also seized a money wire receipt showing that a member of the group had just transferred $800 to a person in California.
While being booked into jail on city warrants and the theft from Walmart, a detention officer found a package containing 46.4 grams of meth concealed in Mondragon’s body.
Further investigation by Homeland Security agents found that Mondragon had been involved in distributing meth in the Great Falls area for at least the previous two months.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Great Falls 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.
XXX
Harlem man sentenced for domestic abuseRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—Harlem resident Tristen Jace Gone, who admitted hitting his domestic partner, was sentenced today to three years in federal prison and two years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Gone, 19, pleaded guilty in November to domestic abuse by a habitual offender.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
Prosecutors said evidence showed that Gone punched the victim in the face and arm and threw her down after she received a court subpoena on July 9, 2018 in Newtown on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Gone has two prior domestic convictions from Fort Belknap Tribal Court.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Fort Belknap Tribal Police and FBI.
XXX
Washington man sentenced to 10 years in child porn caseRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—A Washington man who admitted attempting to view child pornography on a computer while riding a bus was sentenced today to a mandatory minimum 10 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Eric Franklin Rosser, 67, of Ellensburg, Wash., pleaded guilty in October to accessing with intent to view child pornography.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. Molloy also fined Rosser $10,000, levied a total of $5,000 in special assessments and ordered Rosser’s computer to be forfeited.
An investigation began on July 22, 2017, when a passenger on a commercial bus heading east on Interstate 90 near Butte noticed that Rosser, who was seated in front of him, was viewing child porn on his laptop computer. When the bus arrived in Billings, the passenger approached Rosser about the video, and Rosser responded, “Leave me alone. I know I have a problem.”
Law enforcement was called to the Billings bus station, and officers questioned Rosser. Rosser admitted he was watching child porn that was being sold online. He also said he had $10,000 cash strapped to each leg and another $50,000 cash in his bags. Officers found the money along with $2,402 that was in Rosser’s wallet. Rosser admitted to emptying his bank account before leaving Washington.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Billings Police Department.
XXX
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned this week before U.S. Magistrate judges and indictments handed down by the Grand Jury were unsealed. Indictments 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 February 19 was:
DAVID LOPEZ, 41, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lopez faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release. Lopez is detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and Billings Police Department. Pacer case reference. 18-128.
Appearing on February 21 and pleading not guilty was:
GARY DUANE ERVIN, 50, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ervin faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Ervin is detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-04.
CARLOS ALBERTO JAQUINET, 61, of Billings, on charges of false statement in application for passport. If convicted of the most serious crime, Jaquinet faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Jaquinet was released. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service. Pacer case reference. 18-137.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on February 19 was:
JAMES DEBERRY, 24, on charges of failure to register as a sexual offender. If convicted of the most serious crime, Deberry faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Deberry is detained. The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Pacer case reference. 19-02.
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.
XXX
Great Falls woman who distributed meth throughout central Montana sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—A federal judge on Thursday sentenced Donny Lynn Ferguson, of Great Falls, to 10 years and eight months in prison and five years of supervised release for conviction on distributing large quantities of meth in central Montana and on two Indian reservations, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Ferguson, 39, pleaded guilty in September to possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided.
Prosecutors said evidence would show that since at least November 2016, law enforcement received information that Ferguson was dealing multi-pound quantities of meth throughout the state but that her primary area was Great Falls, Lewistown, Havre and the Rocky Boy’s and Fort Belknap Indian Reservations. Sources also confirmed that Ferguson typically carried firearms for her protection in her drug trade.
In April 2018, law enforcement seized more than 2.8 pounds of meth from a Lewistown home and learned that Ferguson had previously supplied meth to the occupants.
Two months later, agents stopped Ferguson outside of Polson and found her in possession of about two pounds of meth, small amounts of heroin and cocaine, a firearm and ammunition, drug paraphernalia and more than $6,000 cash. Two pounds of meth is the equivalent of about 7,248 doses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 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.
XXX