District of Montana

GREAT FALLS—The United States Attorney’s Office announces that Brockton, Montana, resident and ex-Postmaster Relief Jana Nygard was sentenced today to 14 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release for stealing over $50,000 from the Brockton post office. U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris ordered Nygard to serve the first seven months in prison and the last seven months in home detention so she could begin paying back restitution. The court ordered her to pay $50,392.81 in restitution.

In an Offer of Proof filed with the court, Assistant United States Attorney Laura Weiss said that Nygard embezzled from the United States Post Office during the summer of 2013. She issued money orders for personal use and failed to provide payment for the money orders she stole.  She also issued money orders to customers but failed to remit the funds received for the money orders.  She repeated that process with approximately 145 money orders, valued at $43,213.98.  She also stole $1,606.86 in stamp revenue.  The shortage resulted from Nygard selling stamps but then using the money to cover the sale in the amount of $5,571.97. In total, she embezzled more than $50,300 while working as the Postmaster Relief. In October 2014, Nygard pleaded guilty to Embezzlement of Government Property.

“The majority of U.S. Postal Service employees are dedicated public servants who take great pride in ensuring the sanctity and security of U.S. Postal Service property and its funds,” U.S.P.S. Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Pete Gately said. “Unfortunately, Jana Nygard betrayed the trust placed in her by the Postal Service and the public she was sworn to serve. Her actions resulted in deserved consequences for such behavior.”

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Laura Weiss prosecuted the case.

MISSOULA – After being convicted at trial, two additional defendants have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in an international child pornography network operated online, which was targeted by state and federal investigators and prosecutors participating in Operation Kingdom Conqueror.  Defendant Steven Grovo, 35, of Shirley, Massachusetts was sentenced to 360 months in prison followed by lifetime supervised release.  Defendant Joshua Petersen, 45, of Prescott, Arizona, was sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by 15 years supervised release.  Eleven additional co-conspirators were previously sentenced in October 2014 for their respective roles.  U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy of the District of Montana imposed the sentences.

According to court documents, in November 2009, an early participant in the conspiracy designed and created an online bulletin board that allowed members to exchange images, including child pornography.  As the conspiracy progressed, additional members contributed to the design and operations of the board.  Between Nov. 6, 2009, and March 19, 2012, members of the conspiracy used the online bulletin board to share pictures and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  During that same time period, the participants agreed to use the online bulletin board to solicit additional images of child pornography, which they would then share and broadcast on the Internet.  Thirteen defendants have been charged and convicted for their participation in this child pornography network.  Defendant Steven Grovo has two prior convictions for failure to register as a sex offender.

All of the defendants were ordered to forfeit their computers and storage devices. All defendants are required to pay $29,859 restitution.

The investigation, referred to as Operation Kingdom Conqueror, is an ongoing cooperative effort between the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, FBI, Montana Department of Criminal Investigations, Helena and Polson Police Departments, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the States of Jersey Police Department, Isle of Jersey.

Trial Attorney Maureen C. Cain of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson of the District of Montana prosecuted the case.

This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.  Through a network of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation.  It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.  The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.

MISSOULA – After a two and a half day jury trial, defendant Daniel Brown, 26, of Taylor, South Carolina, was convicted for his role in an international child pornography web-based bulletin board, which was targeted by state and federal investigators and prosecutors participating in Operation Moon Runner.  The trial was presided over by the Honorable Dana L. Christensen in Missoula, Montana. 

Five defendants previously pled guilty for their role in the conspiracy in October, 2014.  Six additional defendants filed their notice to plead guilty in January, 2015. 

According to court documents, the board was created in September, 2011 and specialized in the advertisement, distribution, and receipt of child pornography.  The board was broken-up into subforums where members were required to post images that corresponded to specific child pornography studios.  The rules of the board required members to posts images of minor females once every certain number of weeks.  Failure to post images within the required time period resulted in suspension from the board.  The board permitted members to leave comments and to request more images of child pornography from board members.    

The investigation, referred to as Operation Moon Runner, is an ongoing cooperative effort between the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, FBI, Montana Department of Criminal Investigations, Helena and Polson Police Departments, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Northumbria Police Department in the United Kingdom.

Trial Attorney Maureen C. Cain of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson of the District of Montana prosecuted the case.

This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.  Through a network of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation.  It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.  The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.

GREAT FALLS - The United States Attorney’s Office announces that Everett Skunkcap, 75, of Browning, Montana, was ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution for shooting three grizzly bears.  U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston ordered that Skunkcap also be sentenced to six months jail, which was suspended on the condition that Skunkcap timely pay all restitution.   

Skunkcap was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to one count of Taking a Threatened Species.  In an Offer of Proof, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Weldon stated it would have proved that Skunkcap shot three grizzly bears.  Specifically, Skunkcap saw the grizzly bears, grabbed a .300 Winchester rifle, and shot the first two immediately.  The third grizzly bear ran away but returned an hour later.  Skunkcap also shot the third bear because he claimed it was going to “raise hell” later that night.

When questioned about the shootings, Skunkcap admitted that he indeed shot the bears.  He then asked investigators if he could have the grizzlies back when the investigation was complete.  Skunkcap stated he was going to “tan them and put them on the wall [as a] souvenir for what [he] did.”

Five months prior to the shooting, Skunkcap told Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Technicians that he shot a different grizzly bear last year, and, if any grizzlies were on his property, he would shoot them again.  Skunkcap was instructed to call the office if there were bear management issues.  Skunkcap responded that he would just shoot them anyway.

This case was investigated by the Fish and Wildlife Service and local law enforcement.  All restitution payments are used to support law enforcement efforts toward investigating and prosecuting future wildlife crimes.

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynch in Missoula on January 22, 2015, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• MATTHEW LENNON KEHS, a 34-year-old resident of Missoula, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, KEHS faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release.  The case was investigated by the Missoula HIDTA.  PACER Case Reference:  14-43

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on January 20, 2015, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• GREGG LAWRENCE HAYWOOD, a 47-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of felon in possession of a firearm.  If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, HAYWOOD faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release.  The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  PACER Case Reference:  14-71

If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case.

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.

BILLINGS – A Wheatland, Wyoming man who stole 688 pounds of explosives from the U.S. Forest Service has been sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by 3 years supervised release.   Budd Nesius, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan Waters after pleading guilty to possession of stolen explosives.  In addition, Nesius was ordered to pay restitution to the U.S. Forest Service in the amount of $1,234.65.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Whittaker, the government told the court that in April 2013 in Red Lodge, the defendant knowingly possessed approximately 500 pounds of stolen explosive materials.  While looking for a place to camp, Nesius drove down a dirt road and arrived in the area of a U.S. Forest Service (“USFS”) bunker which contained explosives.  This explosives magazine/bunker is located several miles west of Red Lodge on USFS property. Nesius saw signs in the immediate vicinity warning of the explosives.

Shortly before dark, Nesius cut the locks with a pair of bolt cutters and loaded approximately 10 boxes of explosives into the back of his truck.  This amounted to more than 500 pounds of explosives. The following morning Nesius transported the stolen explosives from Red Lodge to his hometown of Wheatland, Wyoming.

The investigation led agents to find boxes of explosives marked with USFS stickers abandoned by Wheatland reservoir.  . An examination of the serial numbers on the recovered explosives determined that these were in fact the same stolen explosives taken from the USFS in Red Lodge, Montana.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynch in Missoula on January 14, 2015, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• JANET JORGENSON CARD, a 49-year-old resident of Whitehall, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, CARD faces 20 years in prison, $1,000,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release.  The case was investigated by the Missouri River Drug Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.   PACER Case Reference:  14-30

• ROBERT ANTHONY VAUGHN, a 37-year-old resident of Bozeman, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, VAUGHN faces 20 years in prison, $1,000,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release.  The case was investigated by the Missouri River Drug Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.   PACER Case Reference:  14-31

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on January 14, 2015, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• ERIC JOHN STEVENS, a 21-year-old resident of Lodge Grass, appeared on charges of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and abusive sexual contact.  If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, STEVENS faces life in prison, $250,000 in fines and lifetime supervised release.  The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  PACER Case Reference:  14-133

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Johnston in Great Falls on January 14, 2015, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• BRANDON RAY BUCKLES, a 27-year-old resident of Poplar, appeared on charges of sexual abuse and false statement to a federal officers.  If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, BUCKLES faces life in prison, $250,000 in fines and lifetime supervised release.  The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  PACER Case Reference: 15-01

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on January 9, 2015, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• PEDRO LUIS CANDIDO, a 45-year-old resident of Sidney, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, CANDIDO faces 40 years in prison, $5,000,000 in fines and 4 years supervised release.  The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. PACER Case Reference:  14-127

• TONY REYES, a 42-year-old resident of Cody, Wyoming, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering.  If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, REYES faces 40 years in prison, $5,000,000 in fines and 4 years supervised release.  The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference:  14-123

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 so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case.

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.

GREAT FALLS—Ronald Joseph Fourhorns, 31, of Browning, Montana, was sentenced today—January 15, 2014—to 210 months in federal prison for robbing the Native American Bank in Browning in March of last year, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  Four Horns was also sentenced to three years of supervised release that will be served once he is out of prison, $4,000 in restitution, and a special assessment of $100 by U.S. District Judge Brian Morris during a federal court hearing in Great Falls.

Fourhorns was sentenced following his November 3, 2014, guilty plea to bank robbery.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Weldon told the Court that on March 21, 2014, Fourhorns entered the Native American Bank in Browning, Montana.  Fourhorns sat down and waited for a bank teller window to become available.  As the lines of the bank tellers opened, Fourhorns went to a window and passed the bank teller a note, which stated:  “I have a gun, give me all your money or I’ll start shooting.”  Witnesses would have testified, according to AUSA Weldon that Fourhorns had on heavy make-up in an apparent attempt to conceal the tattoos on his face.  Some of these tattoos consisted of the words “Crip,” which was on this forehead, “Vicious” on his upper lip and “Indian” on his lower lip.  The teller surrendered $4,000 in cash and Fourhorns left the bank.  Law enforcement used surrounding video surveillance and an identification of the get-away vehicle to determine that Fourhorns was the bank robber.  Weldon also told the Court that witnesses saw Fourhorns near the Native American Bank on the day of the robbery and with a tremendous amount of cash, in the same denominations as that taken from the bank teller, after the robbery.              

The statutory maximum for bank robbery is twenty years.  The District Court sentenced Fourhorns to 210 months, or 17 years, in federal prison. Because there is no parole in the federal system, Fourhorns will likely be incarcerated for almost all of the 17 year sentence.  Fourhorns will have the opportunity to shorten the term of custody by as much as 15 % for good behavior while in prison.          

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement.  

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Johnston in Great Falls on January 8, 2015, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• JAIME GARCIA, a 29-year-old resident of California, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering.  If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, GARCIA faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release.  The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Russell Country Drug Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations. PACER Case Reference:  14-96

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynch in Missoula on January 8, 2015,  and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• JOHN LOUIS CROSS, a 55-year-old resident of Polson appeared on charges of wire fraud and money laundering.  If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, CROSS faces 20 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release.  The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service. PACER Case Reference:  14-47
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• SLOANE HAROLD HEATH, a 29-year-old resident of Missoula, appeared on charges of receipt of child pornography.  If convicted of the count contained in the indictment, HEATH faces 20 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and lifetime supervised release.  The case was investigated by the Plano Texas Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. PACER Case Reference:  14-45

• WILLIAM DAVID HESELIUS, a 60-year-old resident of Helena, appeared on charges of felon in possession of firearms.  If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, HESELIUS faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release.  The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  PACER Case Reference:  14-08
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• TRACY ANN HOHENSTATT, a 44-year-old resident of Phoenix, Arizona, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, HOHENSTATT faces 20 years in prison, $1,000,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release.  The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference:  14-30

• ZACHARY RYAN MILLS, a 33-year-old resident of Phoenix, Arizona, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, MILLS faces 20 years in prison, $1,000,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release.  The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference:  14-30

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on January 7, 2015, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• RYAN ANTHONY CISLO, a 36-year-old resident of Billings appeared on charges of felon in possession of a firearm and possession of stolen firearms.  If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, CISLO faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release.  The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. PACER Case Reference:  14-125

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 so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case.

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 tohttps://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

(GREAT FALLS)   A Browning man has been sentenced to prison following a guilty verdict in a September 2014 trial.  Jordan James Lamott was sentenced to 32 months in prison followed by 3 years supervised release for strangling his girlfriend.  This is the first case in the District of Montana that a defendant has been convicted at trial for strangulation in federal court since the inception of the statute.  It is also one of the first such cases in the entire country.  

On March 7, 2013, President Obama signed into law the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).  This law contains provisions that significantly improve the safety of Native women and that importantly allow federal and tribal law enforcement agencies to hold more perpetrators of domestic violence accountable for their crimes.  Many of these critical provisions were drawn from the U.S. Department of Justice’s July 2011 proposal for new Federal legislation to combat violence against native women.

The tribal provisions in VAWA address three significant legal gaps by: (1) recognizing certain tribes’ power to exercise concurrent criminal jurisdiction over domestic violence cases, regardless of whether the defendant is Indian or non-Indian; (2) clarifying that tribal courts have full civil jurisdiction to enforce protection orders involving any person, Indian or non-Indian; and (3) creating new federal statutes to address crimes of violence, such as strangulation, committed against a spouse or intimate partner and providing more robust federal sentences for certain acts of domestic violence in Indian country.

These steps have been taken, at least in part, because a recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention survey found that 46% of Native American women have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. 

Lamott was indicted on July of 2014 by a federal grand jury.  At trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon presented evidence that Lamott’s girlfriend wore a skirt to impress him.  Lamott became angry, and he strangled his girlfriend three times.  The final time, Lamott’s girlfriend lost consciousness.  In the morning, Lamott requested that his girlfriend have sex with him, and when she refused, he kicked her out of the house.  When arriving at the hospital a few hours later, Lamott’s girlfriend explained that she had been strangled.  Medical professionals testified that the bruising around the neck of Lamott’s girlfriend was consistent with strangulation.   

Lamott was interviewed by federal agents.  He claimed that he remembered everything on the night of the assault.  When confronted with evidence that his girlfriend had strangulation marks on her neck, Lamott ultimately admitted that it was “possible” that he strangled his girlfriend.

U.S. Attorney Mike Cotter said the trial in this case represents the office’s dedication to working with reservations to ensure that Native American women and families are protected from domestic violence.  “The strangulation statute and VAWA offers the U.S. Attorney’s Office a critical weapon to ensuring that domestic violence is dealt with swiftly and with harsh consequences.  Victims of one episode of strangulation are six times more likely to be a victim of attempted homicide by the same partner.  These same victims are seven times more likely to actually die at the hands of their loved ones.  It is this type of violence that tears apart families, damages children, and can have lethal consequences.  The ability to proceed to trial on strangulation cases has proven effective, and we are proud to be one of the first districts to ensure this statute is vigorously enforced.”   

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynch in Missoula on December 17, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• DONALD MITCHELL JOHNSON, a 48-year-old resident of Alhambra, California, appeared on charges of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and fraud and related activity in connection with access devices. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, LIU faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service. PACER Case Reference: 14-28

• EDWARD EARL WERNER, a 42-year-old resident of Hot Springs, appeared on charges of felon in possession of firearms. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, WERNER faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office. PACER Case Reference: 14-46

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Strong in Great Falls on December 17, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• JOSE LUIS ALVARADO, a 27-year-old citizen of Mexico appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, ALVARADO faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Russell Country Drug Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations. PACER Case Reference: 14-96

• BRANDON MICHAEL JACKSON, a 29-year-old resident of Wolf Point appeared on charges of burglary. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, JACKSON faces 20 years in prison, $50,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice PACER Case Reference: 14-78

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on December 17, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• ZHE LIU, a 23-year-old resident of Alhambra, California, appeared on charges of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and fraud and related activity in connection with access devices. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, LIU faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service. PACER Case Reference: 14-119

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 so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case. 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.

GREAT FALLS – Former University of Great Falls student, Brenden James Leischner, 24, now of Indio, California, was sentenced to six months in federal custody for Federal Student Financial Aid Fraud, by U.S. District Judge Brian Morris. The United States Attorney’s Office announced that today’s sentence also included five years’ probation, $82,237 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Education, $2500 in payment for court-appointed counsel to the U.S. District Court, and a $25 special assessment.

At an earlier hearing, federal prosecutors told the Court that Brenden Leischner, son of Mark and Tammy Leischner, who have also plead guilty to multiple felonies involving embezzlement of federal funds, bankruptcy fraud, obstruction of justice and federal student financial aid fraud, applied for admission and was accepted to the University of Great Falls (UGF) in the Fall of 2009 as a Criminal Justice major.  While enrolled at UGF, Leischner and his parents completed multiple Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications in which they concealed significant income that would have disqualified them for student and parental loans and grants.

On August 29, 2012, Mark Leischner applied for a PLUS Loan (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Student) which was declined the next day due to lack of credit-worthiness.  A week later, on September 8, 2012, Mark Leischner filed an Endorser Addendum for Federal Direct PLUS Loan and listed his son-in-law, as a co-signer for the $17,500 loan.  The son-in-law had sufficient credit worthiness so the loan was approved, obligating the son-in-law to pay the debt.  Brenden’s sister, told law enforcement that Brenden stayed with them for a portion of that summer and had a bedroom downstairs where the family file cabinet was kept and had access to her husband’s social security number.  The son-in-law later filed an identity theft complaint with Yellowstone County for his father-in-law’s use of his name and social security account number to obtain the loan and harm his credit.  The son-in-law had discovered the theft of his identity when he had attempted to get new mortgage financing and had been denied because of the PLUS loan.

This loan was processed through the University of Great Falls.  When the money arrived Brenden went to the Financial Aid office and asked for the entire amount—less what the college retained to pay his bills to them—and they wrote him a check for $13,374 which Brenden took to his bank and converted all but $1000 into cash; of which, according to Brenden, he gave $6000 to Mark Leischner to pay on a past due mortgage payment and other bills, all unassociated with Brenden’s educational expenses.  After becoming aware of the federal student aid fraud investigation, Mark Leischner called the Financial Aid office and said something to the effect of “I think Brenden may have made off with the money from that loan.”  

By 2013, Brenden Leischner was an emancipated adult and filed his own FAFSA—without having to disclose any income or assets but his own, on May 2, 2013, for aid in the 2013-2014 academic year.  He claimed to be married and may have or not had a legally recognizable marriage under common law. There is no evidence that he and his girlfriend were ever married by license or ceremony.  On her FAFSA, his then girlfriend indicated they were married as well.  Independent married students get more federal aid than unmarried students. 

Brenden Leischner failed to disclose that he had received a $105,000 medical malpractice insurance payment two months earlier, in February 2013.  Leischner deposited $50,000 of his medical settlement with the investment company Waddell and Reed and then made withdrawals totaling $16,000 from the investment in the form of checks issued payable to him in April ($3,500), May ($7,500) and June 2013 ($5,000).  After reviewing these check disbursements, Brenden admitted he had cash funds available in May 2013.  Investigation disclosed that after receiving the $105,000, Brenden Leischner bought himself a Hummer and took an extended vacation to Hawaii with his girlfriend. 

Mark and Tammy Leischner, and Brendon Leischner’s uncle, James Eastlick, Jr. are scheduled for sentencing in federal court in March 2015.  Brenden’s grandfather, James Eastlick, Sr., was sentenced to a year in federal prison in September 2014 for his role in the embezzlement of $311,000 of federal funds.  

The case was brought by the federal agents of the Guardians Project and was investigated by the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Interior, with the support of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Education.   

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed. Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on December 12, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• PRESTON DAVID BELL, a 21-year-old resident of Wyola, appeared on charges of uttering counterfeit obligations. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, BELL faces 20 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service. PACER Case Reference: 14-114

• JAMES MICHAEL CARROLL, a 32-yeard-old resident of Columbus, appeared on charges of felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, CARROLL faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. PACER Case Reference: 14-70

• HAYDEN ONEIL LOWRY, a 20-year-old resident of Miles City, appeared on charges of possession of stolen firearms and robbery involving motor vehicles. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, LOWRY faces life in prison, $250,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. PACER Case Reference: 14-57

If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case. 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.

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynch in Missoula on December 17, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• DONALD MITCHELL JOHNSON, a 48-year-old resident of Alhambra, California, appeared on charges of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and fraud and related activity in connection with access devices. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, LIU faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service. PACER Case Reference: 14-28

• EDWARD EARL WERNER, a 42-year-old resident of Hot Springs, appeared on charges of felon in possession of firearms. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, WERNER faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office. PACER Case Reference: 14-46

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Strong in Great Falls on December 17, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• JOSE LUIS ALVARADO, a 27-year-old citizen of Mexico appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, ALVARADO faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Russell Country Drug Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations. PACER Case Reference: 14-96

• BRANDON MICHAEL JACKSON, a 29-year-old resident of Wolf Point appeared on charges of burglary. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, JACKSON faces 20 years in prison, $50,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice PACER Case Reference: 14-78

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on December 17, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• ZHE LIU, a 23-year-old resident of Alhambra, California, appeared on charges of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and fraud and related activity in connection with access devices. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, LIU faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service. PACER Case Reference: 14-119

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 so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case. 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.

GREAT FALLS – Dozens of senior federal law enforcement officials will meet in Great Falls this week to consult with the United States Attorney about his office’s anti-corruption strike-force known as the Guardians. The Guardians Project was launched in 2011 by U.S. Attorney Mike Cotter as a collaborative law enforcement effort to investigate and prosecute public corruption and fraud involving federal grants and contracts in the aftermath of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—also known as the Stimulus Bill—which provided for significant increases in federal funding in Indian Country. 

The Guardians Project created a  partnership that merged the extensive resources of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service with the expertise and experience of the various Offices of Inspector General, whose departments had provided significant grants and contracts to Indian tribes for the benefit of those communities.  Agents working for the Inspectors General specialize in the investigation of fraud and corruption, and other forms of abuse of taxpayer monies, and possess specialized knowledge of federal programs. This week’s meeting of senior officials seeks to review the work of the Guardians and to coordinate with federal prosecutors about the future direction of the initiative.

Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz will attend the meeting along with senior national officials from Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, Education, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency.  Guardians’ case agents and regional officials from those departments will also be in Great Falls to discuss the progress and future direction of the Guardians Project. Management officials from the FBI and IRS will join the Inspectors General at the meeting on Thursday and have informal meetings with the U.S. Attorney on Wednesday afternoon.   

Those management officials attending the Great Falls meeting are:

Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General

• Michael Horowitz, Inspector General
• Norman Lau, Special Agent in Charge - Denver Region

Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation

• Mary Rook, Special Agent in Charge - Salt Lake City Division
• Scott Vito, Assistant Special Agent in Charge
• Travis Burrows, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent

Department of Interior – Office of Inspector General

• Stephen Hardgrove, Chief of Staff
• Matthew Elliott, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations
• Don Crook, Special Agent in Charge - Denver Region

Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General

• Joanne Chiedi, Principal Deputy Inspector General
• Gary Cantrell, Deputy Inspector General - Investigations
• Gerry Roy, Special Agent in Charge - Kansas City Division

  Department of Treasury – Internal Revenue Service

• Stephen Boyd, Special Agent in Charge - Denver Field Office
• Steven Osborne, Assistant Special Agent in Charge

Department of Education – Office of Inspector General

• Aaron Jordan, Acting Assistant Inspector general for Investigations
• Natalie Forbort, Special Agent in Charge - Long Beach Regional Office

  Environmental Protection Agency – Office of Inspector General

• Patrick Sullivan, Assistant Inspector General
• Alan Mito, Special Agent in Charge - Denver Region 8

Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General

• David Barnes, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Denver Field Office

Since the Guardians Project began obtaining indictments from the federal grand jury in late 2012, thirty two indictments and two informations have been filed charging 76 defendants and resulting in 35 felony convictions.  The convictions are for conspiracy, bribery, fraud, embezzlement, extortion, obstruction of justice, money laundering and tax evasion. 

Notable Guardians prosecutions are the convictions of six defendants associated with the Po’Ka Program for disadvantaged youth on the Blackfeet reservation, the prosecution and conviction of Tony Belcourt, Chief Executive Officer of the Chippewa Cree Construction Corporation, and former tribal Chairmen John Chance Houle and Bruce Sunchild of the Rocky Boy’s reservation. Eight members of the Dale Old Horn family were convicted in 2012 and 2013 for their role in a scheme to defraud the Crow Tribe using positions with the Crow Tribe Historic Preservation Office.  

MISSOULA – A Montana corporation specializing in residential and commercial asphalt paving services was sentenced today for violating of a safety standard that caused the death of one of its employees. MR Asphalt and its President, Martin Romano, were sentenced to three years’ probation and $7,500 in fines. In addition, $12,500 was ordered to the victim’s spouse.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kris McLean told the court that on September 13, 2012, the MR Asphalt employee was checking the asphalt tank located thirteen (13) feet from ground level. Another employee found the victim lying face down on the ground next to the asphalt tank. Police reports and medical records confirm the victim’s death was consistent with a fall from the asphalt tank. The investigation specifically noted the lack of guardrails or handrails on the asphalt tank, as well as the absence of any type of personal fall protection on the victim’s body.

After the incident, Martin Romano met with MR Asphalt employees and asked them to falsify safety records, specifically to back date records of safety meetings that did not occur. In addition, a safety harness and lanyard were placed in the control shack after the incident, and Romano told others that the equipment was always present at the worksite. The investigation revealed that no one had ever been trained or certified in fall protection or fall arrest systems, or that safety equipment was ever available prior to the fatal fall.

“Although nothing will restore the victim to family and loved ones, prosecution of the case by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the defendant's plea of guilty, will send a clear message that no employee’s life should be sacrificed for a day’s wages,” said Gregory Baxter, Regional Administrator for OSHA’s Region VIII Office in Denver.

The case was investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

GREAT FALLS – Former Chippewa Cree Tribal Chairman John Chance Houle, 50, of Box Elder, pleaded guilty today to four felonies involving bribery, embezzlement, obstruction of justice, and tax evasion, according to the United States Attorney’s Office. Houle had been charged in four indictments handed down by a federal Grand Jury investigating corruption in Indian Country. Houle appeared before U.S. District Judge Brian Morris in Great Falls to enter the guilty pleas.

Houle’s sentencing on the four felonies is set for March 19, 2015, at the Missouri River Courthouse in Great Falls.

Houle pleaded guilty to accepting kick-back payments from Hunter Burns Construction in exchange for facilitating the award and payment on tribal contracts. In an offer of proof filed by the United States Attorney’s Office, prosecutors told the court that if they had taken the case to trial the evidence would have shown that in the 28 month period between July 28, 2009, through November 30, 2011, Houle received $306,987 from the construction company and James Eastlick, Jr., a clinical psychologist with the Rocky Boy Health Clinic who was a 49% owner of the construction business.

In another indictment Houle pleaded guilty to embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Chippewa Cree Rodeo Association. As President of the Rodeo Association, prosecutors told the court, Houle arranged to have payments made to nominee vendors with the understanding that a large portion of the payment would be kicked back to Houle. According to court records, the government would have proven that in 2009, Mark Leischner, Eastlick’s brother-in-law received $135,000 in checks from Houle and Colliflower, and kicked back to Eastlick approximately $53,000. For 2010, Leischner received $133,000 in checks from Houle and the CCRA, from which $62,000 was provided to Tony Belcourt for purchase of a residence in Box Elder. Leischner’s “cut,” as agreed to by Houle, was to be $45,000. In 2010, and then in 2011, Houle also used Bear Paw Indian Rodeo Association President Wade Colliflower as a beneficiary of Chippewa Cree Tribe Rodeo Association payments, a portion of which were then paid back to Houle in cash. Colliflower is scheduled to enter a guilty plea tomorrow for his role in the embezzlement scheme.

In that same indictment Houle was also charged with and pleaded guilty to obstruction of a federal grand jury investigation. The offer of proof filed by the government indicated that when investigation into the payments to Leischner began, Houle, Eastlick and Mark and Tammy Leischner met on several occasions to manufacture documents that would give the appearance of legitimacy to the payments to Leischner. In 2013, a federal grand jury subpoenaed Leischner’s records and he provided the fraudulent documents in response to the subpoena.

In the third indictment, Houle pleaded guilty to one of four counts of tax evasion. As part of his plea agreement with the United States, Houle agreed to pay the taxes on his undeclared income from Hunter Burns Construction, Eastlick, Leischner, and Colliflower. In the four tax years 2009 through 2012, Houle had over $412,000 in undeclared income from those sources, and agreed to pay $121,219 to the Internal Revenue Service as part of the plea agreement. The United States advised the court that there was almost $230,000 in undisclosed income from other sources on which tax liability may have been evaded, but that the investigation was halted when the agreement was reached.

The case was brought by the federal agents of the Guardians Project and was investigated by the agents of the Offices of Inspector General of the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, and Environmental Protection Agency, as well as by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.

GREAT FALLS – The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that it has obtained a summary judgment for fraud in the filing of a fraudulent claim in a nationwide class-action lawsuit in which Native American producers claimed discrimination in the handling of their agriculture loans by the Farm Services Agency (FSA) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In a civil False Claims Act suit against Patrick Charles Thomas, 56, of Cut Bank, the government alleged that Thomas had made fraudulent representations as to his eligibility for a share of the proceeds from the Keepseagle class action settlement. The United States seeks recovery and damages in the amount of $944,690.73. In his November 4, 2014, order, U.S. District Judge Brian Morris entered summary judgment in favor of the United States. The amount to be awarded to the government will be determined by a separate court order.

In Keepseagle v. Vilsak, Civil Action No. 1:99-CV-03119 (DDC) (EGS), a class action lawsuit was pursued by Native American farmers and ranchers alleging that they had been discriminated against by the USDA and that they had been denied equal access to credit in the USDA Farm Loan Program. As a result of that lawsuit, on April 28, 2011, a $710 million settlement with the USDA was approved, and claims were entertained from individual Native American producers who asserted that they had been discriminatorily aggrieved by the USDA in the lending process.

The Native American farmers and ranchers entitled to file a claim and receive relief under the settlement were producers who: a) farmed or ranched or attempted to farm or ranch between January 1, 1981 and November 24, 1999; b) sought, or attempted to seek, a farm loan from the USDA during that period; c) had their application denied, provided late, approved for a lessor amount than asked, was encumbered by restrictive conditions, or failed to have appropriate loan servicing; d) complained about discrimination to the USDA during the same time period; and, e) suffered economic harm attributable to USDA actions.

Successful claimants were eligible to receive a payment of up to $50,000 and forgiveness of some or all outstanding USDA loans.

In December of 2011, Patrick Thomas, a former Chairman of the Blackfeet Tribe and a rancher who operated near Cut Bank, made a Keepseagle claim alleging that he had been discriminated against. In his claim he marked the “Yes” box for the question “Were you denied an opportunity to submit application(s) for loan(s) or loan servicing, or discouraged from applying between January 1, 1981 and November 24, 1999?”. In an affidavit in support of his claim, Thomas represented that on three occasions his loans were thrown away by the FSA representative. Thomas alleged that he had communicated his claim of discrimination, as required to participate in the settlement, to FSA representatives at the time. Thomas’s claim was processed and he received $50,000 and forgiveness of all of his FSA debt. The award and forgiveness of debt totaled $314,896.91.

On April 18, 2013, Thomas was indicted by a federal Grand Jury which charged him with filing a false claim in the Keepseagle litigation, selling secured property, and making false statements with regard to his application for and receipt of federal agricultural loans. The United States dismissed the Keepseagle count from the indictment on July 2, 2013, electing instead to pursue the fraud claim as a civil matter. Thomas pleaded guilty to selling property pledged as collateral to the FSA and was sentenced to a year and a day in prison in October 2013. His criminal case has been appealed to the Ninth Circuit.

During the course of the criminal case Thomas admitted that he had not alleged discrimination during the eligibility period. On the basis of his admissions, Judge Morris found no material dispute of fact as to whether Thomas filed a false Keepseagle claim and granted judgment to the United States.

U. S. Attorney Mike Cotter welcomed the decision. “Discrimination is too important a concern and too serious an allegation to be diminished by fraud and deceit. If a Native American farmer or rancher was discriminated against, that producer is entitled to a remedy. Those who make fraudulent claims only cast aspersion on valid claims and undermine the public’s confidence in the justice system. They must be held to account for the fraud, not just because all fraud is wrong, but to preserve respect for the law and the institutions that provide remedies for the honestly aggrieved.”

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Strong in Great Falls on December 4, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• EVERETT SKUNKCAP, a 75-year-old resident of Browning, appeared on charges of unlawful taking of a threatened species. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, SKUNKCAP faces 6 months in prison and $25,000 in fines. The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. PACER Case Reference: 14-89

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynch in Missoula on December 3, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• KELLY JAMES ENGELHARDT, a 34-year-old resident of Havre, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, ENGELHARDT faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Missoula HIDTA. PACER Case Reference: 14-44

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 so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case. 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.

MISSOULA – A respiratory therapist from Rexford, Montana has been sentenced to 12 months and one day for defrauding Medicaid of over $1.4 million and filing tax returns that failed to report her correct income resulting in a tax loss of over $200,000. Anna Sue Tope, 67, was the vice president of Eagle Calf Technical Corporation (Eagle Calf), a company providing medical equipment and services on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Eagle Calf’s clients in the Browning area are generally low-income patients eligible for Medicaid.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Spraker told the court that Tope, a respiratory therapist, had worked at various hospitals and owned a medical supply business prior to starting the Montana company with a business associate started in 1998. In 2001, Tope became the sole signatory for Eagle Calf bank accounts.

From 2003 until 2011, Spraker explained, an Eagle Calf customer received catheter supplies from the company. The patient required the use of one of two types of tracheal suction catheters. Cath-n-Glove kits, which cost approximately $2.70 each, are much less expensive than a closed system catheter (approximately $16 each). Cath-n-Glove kits are disposable and designed for one-time use, but a patient may require multiple kits each day. A closed system catheter, however, may be used for a longer period of time—typically multiple days to one week before a patient requires a new one.

Eagle Calf provided Cath-n-Glove kits from the time the patient started receiving supplies from Eagle Calf in 2003 until November 2011. Investigators located six wholesale suppliers who had sold 20,626 Cath-n-Glove kits to Eagle Calf on 59 invoices during the period of the indictment. None of the invoices showed Eagle Calf ever purchased a closed system catheter from any supplier.

Although furnishing the patient with the less expensive catheter, Tope fraudulently billed Medicaid for the more expensive closed system catheters. Medicaid was billed for more than $1.7 million for over 108,000 closed system catheters purportedly supplied to the patient. Had the Medicaid program not been misled as to the medical equipment actually being provided, reimbursement to Eagle Calf would have been approximately $300,000. Tope’s fraudulent scheme cost the government $1.4 million.

The case was investigated by the Montana Medicaid SURS Unit, the Internal Revenue Service, the Health Care Fraud investigator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

PACER Case Reference: 14-57

Information: Federal Court Arraignments The United States Attorney’s Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on November 26, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• CRYSTALYNN ROSE SHOULDERBLADE, a 38-year-old resident of Lame Deer, appeared on charges of distribution of methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine on premises where children are present/reside. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, SHOULDERBLADE faces 20 years in prison, $1,000,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. PACER Case Reference: 14-121

• ISAAC JOHN WASHINGTON, JR., a 32-year-old resident of Lame Deer, appeared on charges of distribution of methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine on premises where children are present/reside. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, WASHINGTON faces 20 years in prison, $1,000,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. PACER Case Reference: 14-121

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynch in Missoula on November 25, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• BRIAN LEE CROY, a 37-year-old resident of Bozeman, appeared on charges of felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, CROY faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Bozeman Police Department and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office. PACER Case Reference: 14-25

• NICHOLAS CLINTON HOLT, a 32-year-old resident of Havre, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, HOLT faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Great Falls Police Department, Tri-Agency Task Force and the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office. PACER Case Reference: 14-43

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Strong in Great Falls on November 25, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• MELODY BILLY HENRY, a 50-year-old resident of Box Elder, appeared on charges of theft from an Indian tribal government receiving federal funding and theft from an Indian tribal organization. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, HENRY faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Interior Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference: 14-97

• AMBER NICOLE WELLS, a 30-year-old resident of La Junta, Colorado, appeared on charges of theft from an Indian gaming establishment. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, WELLS faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference: 14-55

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on November 24, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• AUSTIN ALLEN ALLERY, a 19-year-old resident of Miles City, appeared on charges of possession of stolen firearms and robbery involving motor vehicles. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, ALLERY faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. PACER Case Reference: 14-57

• WARRECO J. KILLSNIGHT, a 32-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, KILLSNIGHT faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. PACER Case Reference: 14-84

• LESTER PINEX III, a 26-year-old resident of Gary, Indiana, appeared on charges of felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, PINEX faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. PACER Case Reference: 14-88

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Strong in Great Falls on November 21, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• JASON LEROY BIRDTAIL, JR., a 26-year-old resident of the Fort Belknap Reservation, appeared on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault with a dangerous weapon, and aggravated sexual abuse. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, BIRDTAIL faces life in prison, $250,000 in fines and lifetime supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference: 14-105

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 so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case. 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.

GREAT FALLS – Four members of a Brockton family have entered felony guilty pleas in connection with the embezzlement of $132,564 in municipal monies belonging to the Town of Brockton by former business manager Desiree Lambert. Desiree Lambert, 59, pleaded guilty to fraud, embezzlement, and aggravated identity theft. Her husband, Bernard Lambert, 66, and her daughters, Kaycee Lambert, 35, and Kayla Lambert, 30, pled guilty to aiding and abetting Desiree Lambert’s embezzlement. The United States Attorney’s Office announced that the guilty pleas were entered in federal court in Great Falls before U.S. District Judge Brian Morris. Morris set sentencing for all four defendants for March 5, 2015.

In an offer of proof, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Weldon told the court that Desiree Lambert was hired by the Town of Brockton as a business manager. Beginning in December of 2012, Lambert began writing municipal checks payable to herself and members of her family. Lambert forged the signature of the Mayor of Brockton to negotiate the checks, the proceeds of which were used for gambling and to supplement the family’s lifestyle. Between January 2013 and March of 2014 when the embezzlement was discovered, Lambert embezzled $132,564 in public funds.

The Town of Brockton is a town of about 250 people located on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation about 15 miles east of Poplar, Montana, and received much of its funding from the federal government. Between October 1, 2012, and September 30, 2014, in addition to funding from other federal sources, the Town of Brockton received $129,352 in Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants to augment their public safety budget which Lambert admitted she used, with accounting transfers, to conceal her thefts from other municipal funds.

Desiree and Bernard Lambert were previously prosecuted in federal court in 2006 based upon embezzling $12,000 from the Fort Peck Tribe when Desiree Lambert was the Director of the Fort Peck Department of Education and Bernard Lambert was then the Superintendent for the Brockton School District. In 2007, both defendants were sentenced to a year in federal custody.

The investigation leading to the indictment handed down by the federal grand jury in August of this year, to which today’s guilty pleas were entered, was conducted by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Justice as part of the Guardians Project which seeks to crack-down on corruption in federal grants and contracts, primarily in Indian communities.

MISSOULA – The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today re-instated the insurance fraud conviction of Christin Didier. Didier was convicted by a federal jury of seven counts of mail fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud in Missoula on March 22, 2013, but in October of that year Senior U.S. District Court Judge Donald W. Molloy later acquitted Didier on a defense motion to overturn the verdict. The Circuit Court ruled that the district court had erred in entering the judgment of acquittal for Didier, reversed the order, and remanded the case to the district court for further proceedings.

Didier had not been sentenced when Judge Molloy vacated her conviction

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed. Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Strong in Great Falls on November 20, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

• HARVEY RICHARD BRANDEN, a 37-year-old resident of Kalispell, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, BRANDEN faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The investigation is a cooperative effort between the Russell Country Drug Task Force which includes law enforcement officers from the Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Border Patrol, as well as the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Tri-Agency Task Force and U.S. Internal Revenue Service. PACER Case Reference: 14-96

• THEODORA ANN MORSETTE, a 60-year-old resident of Box Elder, appeared on charges of theft from an Indian tribal government receiving federal funds, theft from an Indian tribal organization and theft from a health care facility. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, MORSETTE faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. PACER Case Reference: 14-99

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 so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case.

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.

The United States Attorney's Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on November 19, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

KELLY STEEN, a 50-year-old resident of Baker, appeared on charges of transportation of hazardous materials without placards and transportation of hazardous materials with improper transportation documents. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, STEEN faces 5 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. The case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General. PACER Case Reference: 14-111

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on November 17, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

THOMAS EDELMAN, a 33-year-old resident of Bridger, appeared on charges of felon in possession of firearm, fugitive in possession of firearms, and possession of stolen firearms. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, EDELMAN faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. PACER Case Reference: 14-104

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on November 14, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

EDWIN CHARLES FALCON, a 54-year-old resident of Poplar, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, FALCON faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference: 14-60

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 so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case.

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.

HELENA - U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced today that the Montana United States Attorney's Office collected $14.1 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 related to criminal and civil actions and an additional $3.4 million related to criminal and civil forfeiture. In some of these cases, the U.S. Attorney's Office worked in conjunction with litigating components of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The U.S. Attorneys( Offices, along with the department(s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. Generally, these debts are judgments, either civil judgments or criminal judgments entered by the federal court. Criminal judgments consist of fines and restitution. 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 directly to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department(s Crime Victims( Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

Occasionally, assets from criminals are forfeited by court action. Forfeiture proceeds are often distributed back to local law enforcement to assist them in the protection of Montana communities or to the victims of crime. Forfeited assets include currency or 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. Seized property is sold and the money deposited into the government accounts used to restore money lost by crime victims.

Across the country, the United States Attorneys' offices collected $24 billion from criminal and civil actions during FY 2014, which is far more than the $2.91 billion appropriated budget of the combined 93 USAOs offices for fiscal year 2014. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Montana is credited with collecting $2.4 million in relation to criminal actions brought by the office. Approximately $11.7 million was collected related to civil matters, with over $4 million related to healthcare fraud, and $1.3 million in relation to civil environmental violations. In addition $3.4 million was collected in criminal and civil forfeiture cases.

“The efforts of this office to serve the people of Montana will continue. Reduced resources will make it more difficult to maintain the same level of service for law enforcement protection, for public safety or the protection of the public purse. But this office is committed to maintaining the highest ideals of public trust and public service despite those challenges.” --- U.S. Attorney Mike Cotter.

The United States Attorney's Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Strong in Great Falls on November 13, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

KYLE YOUNG, a 33-year-old resident of Hays, appeared on charges of strangulation and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, YOUNG, faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.. PACER Case Reference: 14-104

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on November 12, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

KRISTOFER MIKAL WRIGHT, a 27-year-old resident of Cody, Wyoming, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, WRIGHT, faces life in prison, $5,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. PACER Case Reference: 14-112

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on November 10, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

JUSTIN JAMES SHELTON, a 32-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of failure to register as a sex offender. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, SHELTON, faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and lifetime supervised release. The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. PACER Case Reference: 14-110

LAWRENCE WALTER LARSON, a 45-year-old resident of Great Falls, appeared on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, LARSON, faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference: 14-17

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 so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case.

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.

GREAT FALLS - Former Chippewa Cree Tribal Chairman Bruce Sunchild has pleaded guilty today to four felonies involving bribery, embezzlement, and tax evasion, according to the United States Attorney's Office. Sunchild had been charged in three indictments handed down by a federal Grand Jury investigating corruption in Indian Country. Sunchild appeared on Monday, November 10, 2014 before U.S. District Judge Brian Morris in Great Falls to enter the guilty pleas.

Sunchild's sentencing on the four felonies is set for January 29, 2015, in Great Falls.

The case was brought by the federal agents of the Guardians Project and was investigated by the agents of the Offices of Inspector General of the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, and Environmental Protection Agency, as well as by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.

BILLINGS - Ben Hunn, a 47-year-old licensed retail pharmacist in Sidney, Montana, was sentenced for the distribution of Vicodin resulting in death. Hunn was sentenced to 48 months in prison followed by 3 years supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart told the court that on October 19, 2013, Ben Willard Hunn, a Sidney pharmacist, distributed Vicodin (hydrocodone), Soma, Ambien, and Xanax to a Sidney, Montana resident. Later that night, the victim died of a drug overdose. When Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents interviewed Hunn, he admitted that he diverted hundreds of prescription pills to the victim and the victim's parents over the course of a year, from October 2012 through October 2013.

Hunn admitted that he did not know which prescriptions were legitimate and which were not; he simply printed duplicate labels from another prescription, placed them on the prescription bottles, and dispensed the controlled substances. On the date the victim died, Hunn admitted that he "stocked up the whole family." The investigation showed that on that date, Hunn distributed Vicodin (hydrocodone), Soma, Ambien, and Xanax to the deceased victim. The autopsy report listed the probable cause of death as a mixed drug overdose (carisoprodol and meprobamate). The medical examiner and toxicologists in the case also concluded that the amount of Vicodin (hydrocodone) in the victim's system was toxic/fatal by itself.

The prosecution was part of Project Safe Bakken, a cooperative effort between federal and state prosecutors and federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in Montana and North Dakota. The investigation was conducted by the DEA Tactical Diversion Squad, which is comprised of law enforcement from DEA, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Billings Police Department; also the Sidney Police Department and the Montana Crime Lab.

MISSOULA - A Ronan counselor who defrauded Medicaid of over $40,000 has pleaded guilty to federal charges alleging that he submitted fraudulent claims for counseling public school children whom he had never met. Stanley Fleming, a 56-year-old Licensed Clinical Profession Counselor, pleaded guilty to health care fraud. He will be sentenced on February 12, 2015 and faces 10 years imprisonment, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Spraker told the court that for the past 19 years, Fleming has provided services for the Ronan school district, including determining whether children are eligible for an Individual Education Program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. In July 2009, authorities received a complaint that Fleming had billed for services provided to a child who had never seen Fleming. Medicaid investigators conducted a review of Fleming's billings activities. Fleming told investigators that his computer hard drive and personal digital assistant were compromised by a computer virus in March 2008 which, according to Fleming, caused him to lose all records documenting the services he had rendered before that date. Fleming later produced records for some of the claims, consisting of hand-written notes written on index-card-size sheets of paper. Some of the records lacked a patient name and a date of service. Investigators were able to contact and interview 35 patients, 20 of whom denied receiving any services from Fleming.

Besides billing for non-existent sessions, investigators also determined that Fleming had defrauded the program in other ways.

Billing Medicaid for counselling services where program guidelines did not recommend counseling. In many of these cases, the student or his or her guardian also denied the counseling session took place.

Federal claims were also submitted for counselling services during months when school was not in session and no contact would have been made.

Fleming also billed Medicaid for counseling services on the same day and for the same student that the Ronan school district had billed Medicaid thereby double-billing for the same service rendered.

The case was investigated by the Health Care Fraud Investigator for the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, Surveillance and Utilization Review Unit.

PACER Case Reference: 14-37

United States Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Victoria Francis will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department(s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 4, 2014, general elections. AUSA Victoria Francis has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Montana and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District's handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

United States Attorney Mike Cotter said, (Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.(

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department(s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on election day.

Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.

The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 4, 2014, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Michael W. Cotter stated that AUSA/DEO Victoria Francis will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. She can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 406-247-4633.

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at Billings, 406-248-8487, and at Helena, 406-443-3617.

Complaints about ballot access problems or discrimination can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division(s Voting Section in Washington at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.

United States Attorney Mike Cotter said, (Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available immediately to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.(

MISSOULA - In what Montana's United States Attorney has described as a "major victory in the fight against child exploitation", the United States Attorney's Office announced that eleven men have been sentenced for their role in an international child pornography network which was targeted by investigators and prosecutors participating in Operation Kingdom Conqueror. The multi-agency, multi-national effort targeted an online bulletin board advertising and exchanging images of child pornography.

TONY BRONSON, a 53-year-old resident of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced on October 28, 2014 in connection with his April 2014 plea to guilty. Bronson was sentenced to 224 months in prison, 10 years supervised release and $29,859 restitution. In addition, Bronson must forfeit his computers and storage devices.

CHARLES CROSBY, a 43-year-old resident of Trenton, New Jersey, was sentenced on October 23, 2014 in connection with his April 2014 plea to guilty. Crosby was sentenced to 210 months in prison, lifetime supervised release and $29,859 restitution. In addition, Crosby must forfeit his computers and storage devices.

STEVE HUMISTON, a 57-year-old resident of Tacoma, Washington, was sentenced on October 23, 2014 in connection with his April 2014 plea to guilty. Humiston received 210 months in prison, lifetime supervised release, $29,859 restitution and a $5,000 fine. In addition, Humiston must forfeit his computers and storage devices.

JOHN JOHNSON, a 58-year-old resident of Locust Grove, Virginia, was sentenced on October 22, 2014 in connection with his April 2014 plea to guilty. Johnson received 180 months in prison, lifetime supervised release, and $29,859 restitution. In addition, Johnson must forfeit his computer and storage device.

ROBERT KRISE, a 66-year-old resident of Gaithersburg, Maryland, was sentenced on October 22, 2014 in connection with his April 2014 plea to guilty. Krise received 180 months in prison, lifetime supervised release, and $29,859 restitution. In addition, Krise must forfeit his computers and hard drives.

SCOTT LONG, a 53-year-old resident of Portland, Oregon, was sentenced on October 21, 2014 in connection with his April 2014 plea to guilty. Long received 200 months in prison, lifetime supervised release, and $29,859 restitution. In addition, Long must forfeit his computer and storage device.

IAN NOSEK, a 42-year-old resident of Charlottesville, Virginia, was sentenced on October 23, 2014 in connection with his April 2014 plea to guilty. Nosek received 216 months in prison, lifetime supervised release, and $29,859 restitution. In addition, Nosek must forfeit his camera and storage devices.

PHILLIP MORRIS, 42-year-old resident of Jeffersonville, Indiana was sentenced on October 22, 2014 in connection with his April 2014 plea to guilty. Morris received 216 months in prison, lifetime supervised release, and $29,859 restitution. In addition, Morris must forfeit his storage devices and cell phone.

JOSEPH PURIFICATO, a 23-year-old resident of Mount Vernon, Missouri was sentenced on October 28, 2014 in connection with his April 2014 plea to guilty. Purificato received 180 months in prison, 10 years supervised release, and $29,859 restitution. In addition, Purificato must forfeit his computers and thumb drive.

PAUL WENCEWICZ, a 48-year-old resident of Polson, Montana, was sentenced on October 21, 2014 in connection with his March 2014 plea to guilty. Wencewicz received 220 months in prison, lifetime supervise release, and $29,859 restitution. In addition, Wencewicz must forfeit his computer and storage devices.

JEFFREY WOOLLEY, a 53-year-old resident of Nicholasville, Kentucky, was sentenced on October 28, 2014 in connection with his April 2014 plea to guilty. Woolley received 180 months in prison, lifetime supervised release, and $29,859 restitution. In addition, Woolley must forfeit his computer and storage devices.

All defendants appeared before and were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy of Missoula.

Two additional defendants, Joshua Peterson, 45, of Prescott, Arizona, and Steven Grovo, 35, of Shirley, Massachusetts, were found guilty of participating in a child exploitation enterprise and a conspiracy to advertise child pornography on October 9, 2014 after a trial. Both men are scheduled to be sentenced on January 22, 2015 in Missoula.

In November 2009, an early participant in the conspiracy designed and created a web-based bulletin board which allowed the board members to share in their common interest in exchanging files online which contained child pornography and non-child pornography images depicting young girls. As the conspiracy progressed, additional members contributed to the design and operations of the board. Between November 6, 2009, through March 19, 2012, members of the conspiracy used the online bulletin board to share pictures and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. During that same time the participants agreed to use the online bulletin board to publish or print notices or advertisements soliciting additional images of child pornography which they would then share and broadcast on the internet.

The lengthy and wide ranging investigation, referred to as Operation Kingdom Conqueror, is an ongoing cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Montana Department of Criminal Investigations, the Helena and Polson Police Departments, the United States Department of Justice - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Homeland Security Investigations, the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the States of Jersey Police Department, Isle of Jersey, near the United Kingdom.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Mary Rook stated, "I commend the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana, U.S. Department of Justice Child Exploitation & Obscenity Section and each of the law enforcement agencies who worked on this case for their efforts in bringing justice to the victims. These successes are only possible through the commitment of our law enforcement community to working together to protect the most vulnerable, and prosecute to the full extent those who prey upon our children."

U.S. Attorney Mike Cotter called the sentences "a major victory in the fight against child exploitation. Pedophiles who savage our children through pornography, coercion and exploitation are on notice that when they are caught-and they will be caught-the consequences are dire and law enforcement's tolerance for these crimes non-existent".

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson and Maureen C. Cain with the U.S. Department of Justice, Child Exploitation & Obscenity Section, prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was initiated under the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task (or the MT ICAC). The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.

The United States Attorney's Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Strong in Great Falls on October 28, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

JHANE ALAM, a 38-year-old resident of Bangladesh, appeared on charges of transporting illegal aliens, encouraging and inducing illegal entry, and bringing aliens to the United States. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, ALAM, faces 5 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. PACER Case Reference: 14-94

JASON NEEL, a 31-year-old resident of California, appeared on charges of witness tampering. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, NEEL, faces 20 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference: 14-100

ANTONIO MATHIAS PETERSON, a 32-year-old resident of Butte, appeared on charges of felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, PETERSON, faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the United States Probation Office.. PACER Case Reference: 14-07

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 so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case.

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.

PACER Case Reference: 14-96

GREAT FALLS - The United States Attorney's Office announced that those persons listed below have been arraigned on an Indictment in "Operation Highline Crystal Highway." If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the Indictment, each defendant faces possible penalties of life in prison, five years supervised release and $10,000,000 in fines. The investigation is a cooperative effort between the Russell Country Drug Task Force which includes law enforcement officers from the Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Sheriff's Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Border Patrol, as well as the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Terry Leroy Brasda

Age: 45

Hometown: Great Falls

Charge: Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

Tyler Charles Bright-Goodsell

Age: 30

Hometown: Great Falls

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a stolen firearm.

Samuel Cale Chapman

Age: 33

Hometown: Havre

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

John Edward Derry

Age: 35

Hometown: Havre

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

William Thomas Dixon

Age: 25

Hometown: Great Falls

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.

Lawrence George Griner, Jr.

Age: 43

Hometown: Butte

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Jeffrey Edward June

Age: 45

Hometown: Augusta

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Corey James Lampert

Age: 25

Hometown: Great Falls

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Martin Edward Leland

Age: 32

Hometown: Belt

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Jessica Margaret McKinlay aka Jessica Bright

Age: 26

Hometown: Great Falls

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine

Eduardo Ocegueda-Ruiz

Age: 30

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm, illegal alien in possession of a firearm, and illegal re-entry of a deported alien.

Joshua Alberto Rodriguez

Age: 28

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Megan Lynn Runstrom

Age: 31

Hometown: Great Falls

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine

Justin Roland Turner

Age: 32

Hometown: Havre

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Katie Leann Wagner

Age: 27

Hometown: Great Falls

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine

Michelle Renee Yallup

Age: 30

Hometown: Great Falls

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Sarah Jane Young

Age: 35

Hometown: Great Falls

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.

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 so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case.

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.

@USAO_MT

GREAT FALLS: The United States Attorney's Office today announced that Gary Joseph Conti, 68, of Three Forks, a former Oklahoma State University professor who was part of a multi-million dollar tribal corruption and fraud case on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, $1.7 million in restitution, and three years on supervised release by U.S. District Brian Morris of Great Falls. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and $2700 in special assessments.

Conti was convicted of bankruptcy fraud by a federal jury in March and of 26 other felony crimes by a second federal jury in May. Conti was convicted of assisting Blackfeet Tribal officials Frances Onstad and Delyle "Shanny" Augare, and others, obtain millions of dollars in federal monies for a program for troubled and at risk Blackfeet youth called the Po'Ka Project. The federal money was provided based on fraudulent claims as to matching or "in-kind" contributions of third parties which made it appear that the project was becoming self-sufficient. Once the federal money was provided to the Po'Ka program, Onstad and Augare paid Conti $475,000 over a three year period-from August 2008 to August 2011-of which Conti kicked-back $225,000 through a children's charity bank account over which Augare and Onstad had control. Conti was a professor at Oklahoma State University - Tulsa Campus until May of 2011. An audit by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General found the projected loss due to fraud and mismanagement at $4.6 million out of the $9 million provided to the Po'Ka Project from 2005 to 2011.

Conti was allowed to voluntarily surrender to prison when a facility is designated.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.

@USAO_MT

GREAT FALLS - The United States Attorney's Office today announced that Fawn Patricia Ann Tadios, 52, of Box Elder, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Rocky Boy Health Board Clinic, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, $15,000 in restitution, and two years on supervised release by U.S. District Brian Morris of Great Falls.

Tadios was convicted by a federal jury in June of using tribal travel funds from the health clinic to visit her husband, former Chippewa Cree Tribal Chairman Raymond "Jake" Parker, in federal prison in Yankton, South Dakota. Parker was incarcerated at the federal facility in Yankton from December 2011 through November 2012 following his conviction for theft from the Chippewa Cree Tribe using a tribal credit card for personal purchases and cash advances.

Tadios was allowed to voluntarily surrender to prison when a facility is designated.

HELENA - Kelly Lorraine Watts, a 46-year old resident of Renton, Washington, was sentenced today for conspiracy to utter and possess forged securities with intent to deceive an organization. Watts was sentenced after pleading guilty on May 20, 2014. Watts was sentenced 18 months in prison 3 years supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $30,360 in restitution.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Spraker, the government told the court that in August 2013, James Hernandez and Kelly Watts were arrested in Butte after Hernandez was caught attempting to pass a counterfeit money order. Law enforcement questioned Hernandez and Watts leading to the discovery that they had been passing counterfeit money orders to obtain goods and services in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana from December 2012 until they were arrested.

Law Enforcement officers searched Hernandez's truck and discovered a number of contraband including 70 money grams in envelopes with a woman's handwriting on the outside; several cashed money grams; a ledger in a woman's handwriting listing the names of casinos and stores; computer software, paper, and cutting material commonly used to manufacture counterfeit money orders; and five Washington driver's licenses with Hernandez's picture, each with a different name.

A search of Watts' purse revealed loadable debit cards. During the investigation, Watts stated that she kept a ledger of locations where she and Hernandez cashed money orders and the orders' amounts. Several stores identified in receipts were contacted by law enforcement. It was discovered that fraudulent money orders had been used to purchase goods and services throughout Montana.

In addition, the investigation revealed that Hernandez had been manufacturing fraudulent money orders from November 2012 until their arrest in August 2013. Watts and Hernandez traveled to Hillsboro, Pendleton and Ontario, Oregon, Vancouver, Washington, and Kalispell while cashing money orders at various stores and casinos. After purchasing merchandise using the fraudulent money orders, Watts and Hernandez would wait a period of time before returning the items for cash.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Secret Service.

The United States Attorney's Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on October 10, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

ZECHARIAH JOE WHITE, a 20-year-old resident of Lodge Grass, appeared on charges of assault on a federal officer. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, WHITE, faces 20 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference: 14-97

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynch in Missoula on October 10, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

BRUCE ANTHONY GLASS, a 37-year-old resident of Stevensville, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. . If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, GLASS, faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Missoula HIDTA. PACER Case Reference: 14-43

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynch in Missoula on October 9, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

ROBERT LEWIS WHITE, a 51-year-old resident of Butte, appeared on charges of distribution of child pornography and receipt of child pornography. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, WHITE, faces 20 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and lifetime supervised release. The case was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigations.. PACER Case Reference: 14-20

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 so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case.

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.

BILLINGS -- The United States Attorney's Office announced that Thomas Edward VanHaele, a 73 year-old resident of Hysham, Montana, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison during a sentencing hearing in Billings, on October 9, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. VanHaele was also given five years of supervision once he is released from custody. VanHaele had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing methamphetamine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Billings, Montana had been investigating Thomas Van Haele for the distribution of methamphetamine in the Billings area since May of 2012. On June 13, 2012, an undercover agent purchased methamphetamine from Van Haele in the Lee's Saloon parking lot in Billings. The methamphetamine was sent to the DEA Laboratory for testing, and the results indicate that the amount was 9.5 grams of pure methamphetamine. On June 15, 2012, a second undercover purchase was made from VanHaele at the same location. This methamphetamine was sent to the DEA Laboratory for testing, and the results indicate that the amount was 11.3 grams of pure methamphetamine.

The term pure methamphetamine refers to the purity contained in the transacted amount which is usually "cut" with inert ingredients that make the actual product less pure but more profitable as drugs are generally sold based on quantity not quality.

Parole has been abolished in the federal system so VanHaele will be required to serve the entire sentence although federal prisoners are given some days off their sentence for complying with prison rules and not committing any infractions or causing disruption inside the prison.

MISSOULA - On October 9, 2014 two men were found guilty of participating in a child exploitation enterprise and a conspiracy to advertise child pornography. Joshua Peterson, 45, of Prescott, Arizona, and Steven Grovo, 35, of Shirley, Massachusetts, were accused by a federal grand jury in Montana of promoting the sexual exploitation of children using an international online bulletin board where members advertised, distributed, viewed and received images depicting child pornography. Both men are being detained pending their January 22, 2015 sentencing in Missoula.

The government presented evidence that In November 2009, an early participant in the conspiracy designed and created an online bulletin board which allowed the board members to share in their common interest in exchanging files on line which contained child pornography and non-child pornography images. As the conspiracy progressed, additional members contributed to the design and operations of the board. Between November 6, 2009, through March 19, 2012, Peterson and Grovo and the others used the online bulletin board to share pictures and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. During that same time the participants agreed to use the online bulletin board to publish or print notices or advertisements soliciting additional images of child pornography which they would then share and broadcast on the internet.

The lengthy and wide ranging investigation, referred to as Operation Kingdom Conqueror, is an ongoing cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Montana Department of Criminal Investigations, the Helena and Polson Police Departments, the United States Department of Justice - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Homeland Security Investigations, the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the States of Jersey Police Department, Isle of Jersey, near the UK.

The internet exchange of child pornography creates a market for the victimization of children. That market destroys lives and robs children of their innocence. It is a grotesque crime that must be dealt with in a manner that fully reflects the tragedy it causes its victims. This prosecution is a product of diligent work by the very dedicated, skilled and highly trained agents of Operation Kingdom Conqueror. As the work of this team of professionals-from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, State of Montana DCI, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Homeland Security, Polson Police Department and the Helena Police Department-continues, there will be more cases and more defendants indicted from all across the United States. These agents, and this office, will never relax our commitment to the protection of children." United States Attorney for the District of Montana, Michael W. Cotter.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson and Maureen C. Cain with the U.S. Department of Justice, Child Exploitation & Obscenity Section, prosecuted Peterson and Grovo on behalf of the United States.

This case was initiated under the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task (or the MT ICAC). The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.

The United States Attorney's Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on October 9, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

ADRIAN RALPH KRELL, a 43-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of drug user in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, KRELL, faces 20 years in prison, $1,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration. PACER Case Reference: 13-96

CHRISTOPHER RALPH MARQUIS, a 67-year-old resident of St. George, Utah, appeared on charges of possession of child pornography. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, MARQUIS, faces 20 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and lifetime supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference: 14-98

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 so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case.

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The United States Attorney's Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on October 7, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

JEDIA JAMES BARSNESS, a 23-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of aiding and abetting in false statement during a firearms transaction. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, BARSNESS faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. PACER Case Reference: 14-92

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Strong in Great Falls on October 7, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

RAED AROOK, a 38-year-old resident of Israel, appeared on charges of illegal re-entry. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, AROOK faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol. PACER Case Reference: 14-91

RONALD JOSEPH FOURHORNS, a 31-year-old resident of Browning, appeared on charges of bank robbery, theft, conspiracy to tamper with a witness by intimidation, threats, and corrupt persuasion, and tampering with a witness by intimidation, threats, and corrupt persuasion. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, FOURHORNS faces 20 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference: 14-52

RAYMOND EUGENE RUSSETTE, a 38-year-old resident of Wolf Point, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent of distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, RUSSETTE faces 40 years in prison, $5,000,000 in fines and 4 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. PACER Case Reference: 14-93

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Strong in Great Falls on October 6, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

JOE LONG KNIFE, a 38-year-old resident of Hayes, appeared on charges of kidnapping, aggravated sexual abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and strangulation. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, LONG KNIFE faces life in prison, $250,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference: 14-92

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on October 2, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

DAVID LEE GOFFENA, a 46-year-old resident of Roundup, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and conspiracy to money launder. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, GOFFENA faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Eastern Montana HIDTA and Montana Division of Criminal Investigations. PACER Case Reference: 14-38

KIRSTA ELAINE GOFFENA, a 38-year-old resident of Roundup, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and conspiracy to money launder. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, GOFFENA faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Eastern Montana HIDTA and Montana Division of Criminal Investigations. PACER Case Reference: 14-38

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynch in Missoula on October 2, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

JARED THOMAS ATCHLEY, a 24-year-old resident of Helena, appeared on charges of possession of an unregistered firearm. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, ATCHLEY faces 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Montana Highway Patrol. PACER Case Reference: 14-06

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on September 30, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

DAVID DELCARMEN, a 32-year-old resident of Los Angeles, California, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, DELCARMEN faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Eastern Montana HIDTA and Montana Division of Criminal Investigations. PACER Case Reference: 14-38

HEATHERLYN KYRIE FORE, a 26-year-old resident of Taft, California, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, FORE faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Eastern Montana HIDTA and Montana Division of Criminal Investigations. PACER Case Reference: 14-38

CATHRINE SUE NEEL, a 50-year-old resident of Taft, California, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, NEEL faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Eastern Montana HIDTA and Montana Division of Criminal Investigations. PACER Case Reference: 14-38

Appearing before U.S. District Judge Watters in Billings on September 30, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

DAVID LEE BARNARD, JR, a 43-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, BARNARD faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Eastern Montana HIDTA and Montana Division of Criminal Investigations. PACER Case Reference: 14-38

EUGENE VERNON LAROCHE, a 48-year-old resident of Fairview, appeared on charges of use of a communication device to facilitate a felony drug trafficking offense. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, LAROCHE faces 4 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 1 year supervised release. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Montana Division of Criminal Investigations, Sidney Police Department, Richland County Sheriff's Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Border Patrol, Montana Highway Patrol and Sweetgrass County Sheriff's Office. PACER Case Reference: 14-43

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynch in Missoula on September 30, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

ALLEN J. RANKIN, a 41-year-old resident of St. Ignatius, appeared on charges of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and mail theft. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, RANKIN faces 20 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service, Missoula Police Department, Missoula County Sheriff's Office, Billings Police Department, Laurel Police Department and Lake County Sheriff's Office. PACER Case Reference: 14-33

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HELENA - The Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice (NIJ) today announced it has awarded nearly $63 million to school districts and research organizations across the country through the Comprehensive School Safety Initiative (CSSI). Bozeman School District #7 received $3.3 million for its program called SAFE-TI, which involves individual mental assessments for students, who are then engaged in intervention programs tailored to their specific mental health needs. CSSI is a large-scale, multi-agency research effort to build knowledge about effective approaches to increasing school safety nationwide.

The Bozeman program will examine the impact of large, multi-tiered mental health- and trauma-informed interventions on a wide variety of mental health and school safety outcomes. The program tiers students based on their mental health needs, following individual assessments. Students will be randomly assigned at intake to either an immediate intervention group or a three-month waitlist control group. Interventions will be implemented across 11 schools in a largely rural area with a large population of Native America students. Researchers from the University of Montana will provide evidence of the effectiveness of these interventions on school safety.

Although NIJ has primary responsibility for CSSI, the program is a collaborative effort among more than 20 federal partners, including the Departments of Justice, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, and the Treasury. This partnership will allow the federal government to make a significant impact on school safety by investing limited funds in research that has practical applications for every school in the nation. By determining what interventions work best for specific schools and students, CSSI will provide professionals with a body of knowledge to help them make decisions about which programs will be most effective - and most cost effective - for their particular schools and their challenges.

President Obama's January 2013 plan to end gun violence emphasized keeping guns out of potentially dangerous hands and recognized that additional actions are needed to make our schools safer. CSSI was launched in early 2014 in response to a Congressional request for a broad, research-based effort to increase safety in the nation's schools.

The initiative has three primary goals: to collect national-level data; to convene stakeholders to identify and share best practices; and to conduct innovative research and evaluate pilot projects in school districts. The programs and policies within CSSI are designed to produce evidence about what works in such areas of school safety as effectiveness of school resource officers and mental health professionals, violence and bullying reduction, and effectiveness of such restorative justice interventions as youth courts. The initiative will also examine potential unintended consequences of school safety efforts, including the excessive use of exclusionary discipline and arrests of students.

A list of the awards and more information about CSSI are available atError! Hyperlink reference not valid. www.nij.gov, keywords: "School Safety."

The United States Attorney's Office today announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, Montana on September 29, 2014, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Strong, the following individuals appeared:

LAWRENCE GEORGE GRINER, a 43-year-old resident of Butte, made an initial appearance on a complaint alleging conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If formally charged with this offense by indictment, GRINER, faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release.. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation is being conducted by the Russell Country Drug Task Force. PACER Case Reference: 14-71

JEFFREY EDWARD JUNE, a 45-year-old resident of Augusta, made an initial appearance on a complaint alleging conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If formally charged with this offense by indictment, JUNE, faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release.. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation is being conducted by the Russell Country Drug Task Force. PACER Case Reference: 14-71

MARTIN EDWARD LELAND, a 32-year-old resident of Belt, made an initial appearance on a complaint alleging conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If formally charged with this offense by indictment, LELAND, faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release.. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation is being conducted by the Russell Country Drug Task Force. PACER Case Reference: 14-71

EDUARDO OCEQUEDA-RUIZ, a 30-year-old resident of Los Angeles, California, made an initial appearance on a complaint alleging conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If formally charged with this offense by indictment, OCEQUEDA-RUIZ, faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release.. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation is being conducted by the Russell Country Drug Task Force. PACER Case Reference: 14-71

JOSHUA ALBERTO RODRIGUEZ, a 25-year-old resident of Los Angeles, California, made an initial appearance on a complaint alleging conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If formally charged with this offense by indictment, RODRIGUEZ, faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines and 5 years supervised release.. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation is being conducted by the Russell Country Drug Task Force. PACER Case Reference: 14-71

A complaint is merely a written statement of the essential facts constituting the offense(s) charged. It is not proof of guilt and all persons indicted are presumed to be innocent of any crime until proof of guilt is established by trial or guilty plea.

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 so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case.

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THUNDERBIRD IN MONTANA BANKRUPTCY CASE

MISSOULA - Following a two-day trial for concealing a 1957 Thunderbird and another vehicle from a bankruptcy trustee, Timothy James Pulliam, 65, of La Mesa, California, was convicted by a Montana jury of concealing property and making false statements under oath related to his bankruptcy proceeding. U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy presided over the trial. Pulliam now faces a maximum five years in prison on each count, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.

Evidence presented at trial by Assistant United States Attorney Chad Spraker showed that Pulliam and his wife filed for bankruptcy in April 2010. Pulliam planned to sell the 1957 Thunderbird in order to fund a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. He also listed the Thunderbird in his bankruptcy schedules, which are a listing of a debtor's assets at the time of filing for bankruptcy. At the beginning of the bankruptcy, Pulliam stated it was his plan to sell the car to raise enough money to finish a house he was building in Corvallis, Montana. Pulliam's bankruptcy schedules listed car's value at $80,000 and the trailer at $10,000.

In October 2010, a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee traveled to Pulliam's Corvallis residence and saw the Thunderbird parked in a garage connected to the guesthouse. Sometime between October 4th and October 9th, 2010, the Thunderbird and trailer disappeared. Pulliam stated that he had no idea what happened to the Thunderbird. In later proceedings, Pulliam changed his story and claimed he had given the car to his son in 2005. Pulliam then falsely testified under oath that he thought his son took the car and trailer, but he did not know that for certain.

Pulliam later admitted that he had lied under oath and stated that he had called his son and told him to come get the car. Evidence presented at trial showed that in fact Pulliam hid the car shortly after the Chapter 7 Trustee visited Pulliam's residence. Pulliam's sentencing is set for January 23, 2014, in Missoula, Montana.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.

Butte - Jesus Pimentel-Lopez, of Aguililla, Mexico, was sentenced to 240 months in prison today in United States District Court in Butte on conspiracy charges relating to the possession and distribution of methamphetamine. Pimentel-Lopez had previous been found guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, following a two-day jury trial on June 4, 2014 in Butte. Pimentel-Lopez was sentenced by the Honorable Sam E. Haddon who also presided over the trial.

Pimentel-Lopez was engaged in the methamphetamine conspiracy from July 2012 through February 2013. During the course of the conspiracy, Pimentel-Lopez brought methamphetamine to Montana from Idaho and elsewhere for distribution in Butte. Pimentel-Lopez was found responsible for the possession and distribution of 10 pounds of methamphetamine over the course of the conspiracy.

Jesus Elizondo, one of Pimentel-Lopez's co-conspirators in this case was previously sentenced to 120 months in prison. Timothy Gardiner, another co-conspirator, was sentenced to 84 months in prison. Jeffrey Lackman was sentenced to 98 months for his role in the conspiracy while Elizabeth Gardiner was sentenced to 48 months.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, the Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Butte-A 48-year-old Minot, North Dakota man who trafficked over 34 pounds in and around Montana was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. United States District Court Sam Haddon sentenced Lloyd Nickle to 360 months in prison, followed by a term of 5 years supervised release. A federal jury made up of Montana citizens found Nickle guilty on June 11, 2014, following a trial in Butte. He was convicted of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Nickle's 30-year sentence sends a clear message to all those engaging in criminal enterprise in and around the Bakken," said Montana U.S. Attorney Mike Cotter. "If you push poison in Montana, you will pay the price. Meth traffickers are in the despicable business of destroying individuals, families, and placing Montana's public in danger. The Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office are committed to the relentless fight against drug distribution in Big Sky Country."

The FBI recognizes the positive impact of coordinated law enforcement efforts pertaining to drug trafficking in multi-jurisdictional areas," said Mary Rook, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Salt Lake City Division. "This case illustrates incredible results based on the cooperation of all of the involved agencies."

Nickle was engaged in the methamphetamine conspiracy from June 2012 until January 2014. During the course of the conspiracy, Nickle purchased large amounts of methamphetamine from sources in California for distribution in Montana and North Dakota. Nickle, who is from Minot, North Dakota, would send partial payments for the methamphetamine by Federal Express to the sources and then make arrangements to meet the sources in various locations to complete the transactions. These meetings occurred in Butte, Dillon, Elko, Nevada, Caldwell, Idaho and Sacramento, California. Nickle and his fellow conspirators would then transport the methamphetamine to Butte, Billings, and other locations in Montana and North Dakota for distribution. Nickle was found responsible for the possession and distribution of at least 34 pounds of methamphetamine over the course of the conspiracy.

Von Rackham, one of Nickle's co-conspirators was previously sentenced to 135 months imprisonment. Margaret Silvia, another co-conspirator, was sentenced to 100 months, and Leonard Ewalt was sentenced to 138 months. Nickle was acquitted by the jury of a gun charge.

The prosecution was part of Project Safe Bakken, a cooperative effort between federal and state prosecutors and federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in Montana and North Dakota. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Montana Division of Criminal Investigations and the Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department.

The United States Attorney's Office announced that those persons listed below were arraigned before the U.S. Magistrate and the indictments handed down by the Grand Jury unsealed.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Strong in Great Falls on September 29, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

WILLIAM JAMES BALL, a 46-year-old resident of Harlem, appeared on charges of aggravated sexual abuse and strangulation. If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, BALL faces life in prison, $250,000 in fines and lifetime supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference: 14-81

ROBERT ALLEN SMITH, a 59-yeard-old resident of Great Falls, appeared on charges of receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, SMITH faces 20 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and lifetime years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Great Falls Police Department. PACER Case Reference: 14-70

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby in Billings on September 25, 2014, and entering pleas of Not Guilty were:

DUSTIN JAMES MASSEY, a 29-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, MASSEY faces 20 years in prison, $1,000,000 in fines and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation. PACER Case Reference: 14-96

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 so that you stay current and not miss any important developments in the case.

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GREAT FALLS-The Montana United States Attorney's Office announces that the first federal felony strangulation jury conviction has occurred in Great Falls, Montana. A jury of Montana citizens convicted Jordan James Lamott on September 16, 2014, of strangling his girlfriend three times, after which she passed out. Under the new strangulation statute, Lamott faces up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. This is the first trial conviction in Montana under a new federal statute criminalizing strangulation on Indian Reservations of federally-recognized tribes. It is also one of the first such cases in the country.

This conviction represents a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and well-being of women and families on Montana's reservations," said Mike Cotter. "This violence can have lethal consequences, and we are proud to be among the first districts to ensure this statute is vigorously enforced." Victims of one episode of strangulation are six times more likely to be a victim of attempted homicide by the same partner. These same victims are seven times more likely to actually die at the hands of their loved ones. A recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention survey found that 46% of Native American women have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

Lamott is one of several Montana defendants recently charged with felony strangulation under the new statute. Lamott was indicted in July 2014 by a Montana federal grand jury. At trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon presented evidence that Lamott's girlfriend wore a skirt to impress him. Lamott became angry and strangled his girlfriend three times. The final time, she lost consciousness. In the morning, Lamott requested that his girlfriend have sex with him, and when she refused, he kicked her out of the house. At the hospital a few hours later, Lamott's girlfriend explained that she had been strangled. Medical professionals testified that the bruising around her neck was consistent with strangulation.

The United States Attorney's Office in Montana has joined forces with other law enforcement and social services agencies to conduct trainings on Montana's reservations regarding how to investigate these offenses and care for victims of these potentially-lethal felony offenses. On March 7, 2013, President Obama signed into law the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This law contains provisions that significantly improve the safety of Native women and allow federal and tribal law enforcement agencies to hold more perpetrators of domestic violence accountable for their crimes. The strangulation statute and VAWA offers the U.S. Attorney's Office a critical weapon to ensure that domestic violence is dealt with swiftly before it becomes lethal.

The tribal provisions in VAWA address three significant legal gaps by: (1) recognizing certain tribes' power to exercise concurrent criminal jurisdiction over domestic violence cases, regardless of whether the defendant is Indian or non-Indian; (2) clarifying that tribal courts have full civil jurisdiction to enforce protection orders involving any person, Indian or non-Indian; and (3) creating new federal statutes to address crimes of violence, such as strangulation, committed against a spouse or intimate partner and providing more robust federal sentences for certain acts of domestic violence in Indian country.

The investigation of Lamott was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Lamott's sentencing is December 18, 2014, at 2:30 p.m., at the Missouri River Courthouse in Great Falls, Montana.

I come to this moment with very mixed emotions. Proud of what the men and women of the Department of Justice have accomplished over the last six years and, at the same time, very sad that I will not be a formal part of the great things that this department and this President will accomplish over the next two.

I want to thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity you gave me to serve and for giving me the greatest honor of my professional life. We have been great colleagues, but the bonds between us are much deeper than that. In good times and bad, in things personal and professional, you have been there for me. I am proud to call you my friend. I am also grateful for the support you have given me and the department as we have made real the visions that you and I have always shared. I often think of those early talks between us and our belief that we might help to craft a more perfect Union. Work remains to be done – but our list of accomplishments is real. Over the last six years, our Administration has made historic gains in realizing the principles of the founding documents, and fought to protect the most sacred of American rights: the right to vote. We have begun to realize the promise of equality for our LGBT brothers and sisters and their families. We have begun to significantly reform our criminal justice system and reconnect those who bravely serve in law enforcement with the communities they protect. We have kept faith with our belief in the power of the greatest judicial system the world has ever known to fairly and effectively adjudicate any cases that are brought before it, including those that involve the security of the nation we both love so dearly. We have taken steps to protect the environment and make more fair the rules by which our commercial enterprises operate. And we have held accountable those who would harm the American people either through violent means or the misuse of economic or political power.

I have loved the Department of Justice ever since, as a young boy, I watched Robert Kennedy prove during the Civil Rights Movement how the department can – and must – always be a force for that which is right. I hope that I have done honor to the faith you placed in me, Mr. President, and to the legacy of all those that served before me.

I would also like to thank the Vice President, who I have known for so many years and in whom I have found great wisdom, unwavering support, and a shared vision of what America can, and should, be. I want to recognize my good friend Valerie Jarrett, whom I’ve been fortunate to work with from the beginning of what started as an improbable, idealistic effort by a young senator from Illinois who we were both right to believe would achieve greatness. I have had the opportunity to serve in your distinguished Cabinet and worked with a White House staff, ably led by Denis McDonough, that has done much to make real the promise of our democracy. And each of the men and women who I have come to know will be lifelong friends.

Whatever my accomplishments, they could not have been achieved without the love, support, and guidance of two people who are not with me today. My parents, Eric and Miriam Holder, nurtured me and my accomplished brother William and made us believe in the value of individual effort and the greatness of this nation.

My time in public service, which now comes to an end, would not have been possible without the sacrifices – too often unfair – made by the best three kids a father could ask for. Thank you, Maya, Brooke, and Buddy.

And finally I want to thank the woman who sacrificed the most and allowed me to follow my dreams. She is the foundation of all that our family is and the basis of all that I have become. My wife, Sharon, is the unsung hero and my life partner. Thank you for all that you have done. I love you.

In the months ahead, I will leave the Department of Justice – but I will never leave the work. I will continue to serve and try to find ways to make our nation even more true to its founding ideals. I thank the dedicated public servants who form the backbone of the United States Department of Justice for their tireless work over the past six years, for the efforts they will continue, and for the progress they made that will outlast us all.

And I thank you all for joining me on a journey that now moves in another direction, but that will always be guided by the pursuit of justice and aimed at the North Star.

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