District of Montana

HELENA — A Helena man accused of carrying a firearm on the campus of the Jim Darcy Elementary School in Helena admitted to a firearm charge today, Acting U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot said.

The defendant, Bryant Nicholas Espinoza, 37, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm in a school zone. Espinoza faces a maximum of five years in prison, consecutive to any other count of conviction, a $100,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for June 9. Espinoza was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that on Feb. 7, 2024, the principal of Jim Darcy Elementary School contacted the Lewis and Clark Sheriff’s Office and advised the responding deputy that a staff member had notified her that the day prior, the parent of a student was on campus and was carrying a firearm. The staff member observed Espinoza standing in front of the school with a small dog. The staffer approached to assist Espinoza, and he informed the staffer he was there to pick up his daughter, who was a student. During the conversation, the staffer observed Espinoza was carrying a firearm. The staffer identified Espinoza in a photo, and   surveillance video showed Espinoza on school property with a small dog and what appeared to be a pistol in a holster on his hip. On April 9, 2024, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the sheriff’s office executed a federal search warrant at Espinoza’s residence and seized a 9mm pistol, two rifles and ammunition. In an interview, Espinoza identified himself in still photos taken from the surveillance video and said that the item on his hip looked like a firearm. Espinoza told agents where the pistol was located at his residence. Agents asked if there was a reason he had the gun at the school, and Espinoza responded that Montana was an “open carry state.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

XXX

BILLINGS — The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana today announced the departure of U. S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, effective yesterday.

Mr. Laslovich has served as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the District of Montana since being sworn into office on June 2, 2022. President Joe Biden nominated Mr. Laslovich for the position on Jan. 31, 2022, and the U.S. Senate confirmed him on May 17, 2022.

As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Laslovich oversaw all federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation on behalf of the U.S. government. The district has offices in Helena, Great Falls, Missoula, Butte, and Billings.

“It has been the honor of my life to serve as the United States Attorney for the state that raised me. I am profoundly grateful to the talented and hard-working people in this office, as well as our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners who strive every day to uphold the rule of law, keep people safe, and steadfastly defend the interests of the United States of America. I have never been prouder to have served with them, and I will always be rooting hard for their continued safety and success,” Mr. Laslovich said.

During Mr. Laslovich’s tenure, the U.S. Attorney’s Office focused on prosecuting drug trafficking and violent and sexual abuse crimes occurring on Montana’s six Indian Reservations that are within federal jurisdiction for major crimes; building strong partnerships with other federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement agencies; addressing violent and firearms crimes in communities across the state through initiatives like Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF); and protecting civil rights for all Montanans. The office continued its work to protect children from online and in person sexual predators, abusers, and traffickers, and to catch fraudsters, especially those who prey on elderly and vulnerable persons.

Mr. Laslovich also emphasized the importance of strong working relationships with numerous law enforcement agencies at the local, state, tribal and federal levels. Mr. Laslovich and office representatives met regularly with tribal leadership to discuss various issues. The office also worked closely with other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners and organizations to strengthen trust, communications, and cooperation in working toward the shared goal of keeping people safe and holding offenders accountable.

In Indian Country, the U.S. Attorney’s Office worked with tribal and federal law enforcement partners to shut down trafficking rings attempting to set up bases on Montana reservations and enlist residents to distribute drugs transported from outside Montana. One of those cases involved dismantling a large, multi-state drug trafficking organization that was based on Crow Indian Reservation property known as Spear Siding and distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl to three other Montana Indian reservations and communities from suppliers in Washington and a Mexican cartel. The case resulted in federal convictions in Montana of 27 persons and was one of the largest federal drug trafficking investigations in Montana.

Additionally, a recent six-month-long enforcement initiative led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, in cooperation with Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Reservation, led to indictments of multiple individuals on drug crimes. The enforcement action was aimed at identifying hot spots and devoting law enforcement resources to communities facing rising rates of drug-related violent crime and overdose deaths.

During the last three years, federal prosecutors remained committed to making communities across Montana safer by identifying and prosecuting the most dangerous offenders through initiatives like PSN and OCDETF. In Great Falls, a multi-agency investigation into a large fentanyl trafficking ring led to a coordinated take down of suspects and convictions of 10 individuals.

During Mr. Laslovich’s tenure, prosecutions of individuals on federal firearms crimes increased significantly. The average number of defendants charged with illegal possession of a firearm averaged 111 cases a year from 2022 through 2024, compared with an average of 83 cases per year from 2014 to 2021. And the number of defendants charged with carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence or drug trafficking also increased to an average of 56 cases a year from 2022 to 2024 from an average of 40 cases per year from 2014 to 2021.

Additionally, Mr. Laslovich oversaw the launch in Montana of United Against Hate, a Justice Department initiative focused on improving the prevention of hate crimes and hate incidents by building relationships at the local level. Laslovich and the office’s civil rights coordinator and prosecutor held a series of community meetings across the state with law enforcement partners, community and faith organizations, tribal communities, and citizens to discuss identifying and reporting hate crimes and to learn about available resources. Further, the office successfully prosecuted a Basin man on federal hate and firearms crimes after he fired an AK-style assault rifle at the residence of a woman, who identified as lesbian, and was home at the time. The defendant was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

The office’s civil team continued its work defending the United States in litigation, collecting debts owed to the federal government, and investigating fraud. As part of that work, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reached a civil settlement agreement in 2024 between the federal government and St. Peter’s Health, in Helena, in which St. Peter’s agreed to pay $10,844,201 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims for payments to federal health care programs for services performed by an oncology doctor.

Prior to becoming U.S. Attorney, Mr. Laslovich served as regional vice president for SCL Health Montana-Wyoming since 2017. From 2009 to 2016, Mr. Laslovich was chief legal counsel in the office of the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, where he prosecuted securities fraud cases. During 2011 and 2012, Laslovich also served as a special assistant U.S. attorney on securities cases in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana. He previously worked in the Montana Attorney General’s Office. Mr. Laslovich began his legal career at Datsopoulos, MacDonald & Lind, P.C. in Missoula and taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Montana School of Law for two semesters.

As one of the youngest Montanans ever elected to the Montana Legislature, Mr. Laslovich first served in the House of Representatives from 2001 through 2004 and then in the Senate from 2005 to 2010, representing Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Granite, and Powell counties.

Mr. Laslovich received his J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law in 2006 and his B.A., with high honors, from the University of Montana in 2003.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A former Great Falls woman who was convicted by a federal judge for a December 2021 crash on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in which a juvenile passenger suffered serious injuries was sentenced on Feb. 12 to 14 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot said today.

After a one-day bench trial on Aug. 27, 2024, Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris found the defendant, Noblee Rose Littledog, 23, currently of Aberdeen, Washington, guilty of assault resulting in serious bodily injury as charged in an indictment. At sentencing, the court allowed Littledog to self-report to prison.

In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that on Dec. 1, 2021, Littledog was driving a 2019 Jeep Cherokee on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation with the victim, a passenger identified as Jane Doe, who was 17 years old. While driving on Badger Creek Road, Littledog attempted to pass two vehicles at the same time while driving 105 mph. Littledog lost control of the vehicle and overcorrected, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and roll several times before coming to rest right side up. Both Littledog and the victim were seriously injured. Jane Doe suffered severe trauma to her lower extremities, underwent multiple surgeries and has permanent damage.

The government presented evidence at trial that seconds before the crash, Littledog was traveling at a minimum speed of 105 mph. The evidence also showed that both occupants were restrained at the time of the crash. Jane Doe reported that Littledog had consumed alcohol on the drive, and Littledog told law enforcement at the hospital that she had consumed two alcoholic beverages approximately 30 to 40 minutes before the crash.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, the Montana Highway Patrol and the FBI, with assistance from the Cut Bank Police Department, conducted the investigation.

XXX

BILLINGS--The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana announced today that First Assistant Timothy J. Racicot is now the Acting U.S. Attorney following the departure of former U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich.

As Acting U.S. Attorney, Racicot is the chief federal law enforcement official in the state of Montana.

Racicot is a career prosecutor who became an Assistant U.S. Attorney in October 2005. He has served as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney since August 2022.

Racicot received an undergraduate degree from Carroll College and a law degree from the University of Notre Dame.

XXX

MISSOULA — A Missoula accountant accused of defrauding clients by using their cash payments intended for income taxes for his own personal expenses admitted today to fraud and obstruction charges, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, William Arthur Clawson, 54, appeared for an arraignment on an information and pleaded guilty to wire fraud and to corrupt endeavor to obstruct and impede the administration of the internal revenue laws. Clawson faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the wire fraud charge and a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the corrupt endeavor charge.

U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for June 24. Clawson was released pending further proceedings.

A plea agreement filed in the case calls Clawson to pay full restitution to the victims of no less than $1,158,811.40.

The government alleged that from about 2016 to 2021, Clawson used his businesses, Quantum Business Solutions and Endeavor Financial Insights, to defraud clients. Clawson offered accounting and tax preparation services to clients in Montana, Washington and Oklahoma, who were engaged in the cash-intensive medical marijuana industry. Clawson promised to assess the taxes owned by his clients and receive cash payments from them that he would use to pay his fees and the taxes they owed. Instead, Clawson paid only a small portion of the taxes his clients owed and used the remainder of the money on his personal expenses and unrelated debts. Through Clawson’s actions, his clients unknowingly fell behind in paying the taxes they owed.

The government further alleged that between 2019 and 2020, one of Clawson’s clients came under IRS scrutiny because of unpaid taxes. An IRS revenue officer contacted the company as part of efforts to collect taxes owed. The company called Clawson, who was serving as its accountant. Clawson instructed the company not to communicate with the IRS officer and said he would take care of the reported issue. Clawson falsely told the IRS officer that the company had cash flow issues that were making it difficult for the company to pay its taxes. Clawson acted corruptly by making other false statements to the IRS officer on the company’s behalf that Clawson knew would impede the government’s tax collection efforts. Clawson did this to conceal his misappropriation of funds the company gave him to pay its taxes.

The U.S. Attorney’s office is prosecuting the case. The IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.

XXX

BILLINGS — A former U.S. Postal Service employee admitted to a theft charge today after he was accused of stealing mail when he tried to sell $850 worth of sports cards to a Billings sports memorabilia business that had attempted to ship the cards to a different customer, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Zachary Louis Simpson, 37, pleaded guilty to theft of mail by employee. Simpson faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Simpson was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that between March 27, 2023 and April 3, 2024, Simpson was employed by the U.S. Postal Service and sorted packages at the mail facility in Billings. Simpson had access to and was entrusted with mail during his shifts at the sorting facility. While employed with the Postal Service, Simpson stole packages from the sorting facility and took them home. On March 12, 2024, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General was contacted regarding Simpson. A sports memorabilia business in Billings notified law enforcement that Simpson came into the store to sell $850 of sports cards. The company realized that it had recently attempted to ship those same cards to a different customer through the mail. An investigation determined that the packages containing these cards had transited the postal sorting facility in Billings on a date Simpson was working. Law enforcement conducted a trash pull at Simpson’s residence and found dozens of empty packages in his trash that were addressed to other people at different locations. Investigators executed a search warrant at Simpson’s residence and seized more than 100 additional empty packages that were not addressed to Simpson. Agents also recovered more than 10,000 sports trading cards and other memorabilia. The Postal Service contacted a number of the victims whose packages were found in Simpson’s possession. Many reported that their packages contained sports trading cards that never reached the intended destination.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, conducted the investigation.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A man and a woman today admitted they stole a ski boat and trailer from property on St. Mary Lake on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendants, Tiffany Rae Morris, 37, of Shelby, and Levi Jacques Carl Johnson, 44, of Kevin, each pleaded guilty in separate hearings to theft within Indian Country. Morris and Johnson face a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for June 25. The defendants were released pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that on June 9, 2024, Morris and Johnson stole a ski boat and trailer from the property of the victim, identified as John Doe. The property is on St. Mary Lake on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Doe reported the theft to law enforcement and posted about it on Facebook. An investigation identified Morris and Johnson as potential suspects, based on video surveillance. The following day, a landowner in the Cut Bank area notified law enforcement that a boat had been abandoned on his property and that he thought it was the stolen boat. John Doe responded to the scene and identified his boat. The boat’s identifying decals had been removed. In interviews with law enforcement, Morris and Johnson admitted to stealing the boat. After the theft was circulated on Facebook, the defendants wanted to return the boat but were afraid of being apprehended and abandoned it in the field. Johnson reported that the decals came off when he power-washed the boat. The boat was a 2007 Ski-doo Challenger 180, valued at more than $1,000.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI conducted the investigation.

XXX

MISSOULA — A federal jury today convicted a Florida man of attempting to coerce a minor for sex after he was arrested in Missoula in an undercover investigation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

After a three-day trial that began on Feb. 10, the jury found the defendant, Stevenson Metelus, 36, of Margate, Florida, guilty of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Metelus faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years to a lifetime of supervised release.

U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for June 24. Metelus was released pending further proceedings.

“Metelus was a truck driver passing through Montana when he used social media to attempt to coerce a minor to have sex with him. The problem for him was he was unwittingly talking to an undercover law enforcement officer. This is the kind of critical work our office and our law enforcement partners are doing across the state to keep kids safe. Our work will continue, and it can only be done effectively due to the diligence, brilliance, and dedicated service of the people in our office and our law enforcement partners,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

The government alleged at trial and in court documents that in October 2023, an FBI special agent, using a persona identified as Child 1, posted on MegaPersonals an advertisement for prostitution services in Missoula, listed the age of Child 1 as “99” and a phone number at which to contact Child 1. Metelus responded to the ad on Nov. 16, 2023 and asked Child 1 what her “specials” were. Metelus spoke with Child 1, eventually negotiating a price and sexual acts to engage in with her. Child 1 noted she was a minor girl. Ultimately, Metelus asked Child 1 to meet him in his truck when he arrived, but Child 1 said she had a room at the hotel and would leave the door open for him. Child 1 then said that she could meet him at a nearby gas station when he expressed concern about the plan. The undercover FBI agent had confidential source call Metelus and, acting as Child 1, spoke briefly with him. The confidential source again told Metelus that she was a minor. The parties then confirmed their plans to meet. Shortly thereafter, Metelus texted Child 1 that he had arrived at the gas station, where law enforcement arrested him. Metelus eventually admitted to law enforcement his intention was to meet Child 1 for commercial sex.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force, Missoula Police Department and Missoula County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A Hays man today admitted to fatally stabbing a woman during a quarrel on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Tonylee Andrew Sears, 24, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter as charged in an indictment. Sears faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for June 18. Sears was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that in the early morning hours of Jan. 13, 2024, Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services responded to reports of a stabbing at Sears’ home. Officers encountered Sears, a witness, identified as John Doe, and the victim, identified as Jane Doe. Jane Doe was on the living room floor, bleeding, and was pronounced dead at the scene. In an interview with law enforcement, John Doe said he and Jane Doe had gone to Sears’ house to drink alcohol and hang out and that the victim and Sears argued. The argument escalated, and Sears grabbed a knife and stabbed Jane Doe while she was on the ground. John Doe pulled Sears off the victim and called 911. Sears threw the knife in the kitchen sink. When interviewed, Sears admitted that he and the victim rolled around on the floor after an argument, and he stabbed her. Officers recovered a knife from the kitchen sink. An autopsy report concluded that Jane Doe died from a stab wound.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.

XXX

MISSOULA — A Kalispell man who admitted to possessing a stolen gun was sentenced today to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Joseph Christopher Steele, 24, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to possession of a stolen firearm.

U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.

In court documents, the government alleged that in December 2022, a man, identified as John Doe, filed a report with the Kalispell Police Department that his firearm safe containing a .45-caliber pistol and two magazines, along with the title to his pickup truck, had been stolen from his vehicle. Five days later, while investigating an unrelated incident, police officers found Doe’s stolen pickup title in a Subaru that also had been reported stolen. While being interviewed about the Subaru, Steele admitted he had been driving the vehicle but denied knowing it was stolen. Doe’s pickup title was not discussed. In January 2024, Whitefish Police Department officers executed a search warrant on Steele’s residence to locate evidence related to a stolen cell phone. Steele was on state probation at the time. During the search, officers located a pistol in a gun case with two magazines. Based on the gun’s serial number, officers determined the pistol was the firearm Doe had reported stolen.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Kalispell and Whitefish police departments and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

XXX

MISSOULA — The former executive director of the Whitefish Housing Authority was sentenced today to four months in prison and four months of home confinement, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $144,842 for embezzling from the organization, which receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Dwarne Lamont Hawkins, 46, of Fairview Heights, Illinois, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to theft from organization receiving federal funding.

U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The court also ordered Hawkins to perform 200 hours of community service. Hawkins was allowed to self-report to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

In court documents, the government alleged that from about May 2023 to January 2024, while working as the Whitefish Housing Authority’s executive director, Hawkins embezzled from the organization. The Whitefish Housing Authority provides safe, decent and affordable housing options for low-income families in the Whitefish community and received approximately $468,616 in federal funds from HUD during the period of the indictment. Hawkins stole housing authority money by diverting and inflating payroll, fraudulently paying personal expenses with the Whitefish Housing Authority credit card and creating and paying fraudulent invoices to businesses over which he had control. The investigation identified approximately $144,842 in restitution.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.

XXX

BILLINGS - U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced today that the District of Montana collected $4,551,419.18 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2024. Of this amount, $3,165,015.74 was collected in criminal actions and $1,386,403.44 was collected in civil actions.

Additionally, the District of Montana worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $6,803,045.08 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $251,225 was collected in criminal actions and $6,551,820.08 was collected in civil actions. 

“These collections come from both criminals who are ordered to pay restitution to victims and fines and from those who owe debts or civil penalties to the American taxpayer. As last year’s numbers reflect, our team of prosecutors, investigators, and staff have great success, and I thank them for their tireless and dedicated service in collecting more than $4.5 million on behalf of crime victims and the American people,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

Funds collected for criminal judgments and paid to victims include:

• $721,739.82 from John Kevin Moore, who was convicted in August 2018 by a federal jury of 21 counts of wire fraud, money laundering, and false statements.  Moore was also sentenced to a term of imprisonment.
• $345,932.98 from Joseph Glen Dickey, including the full payment of his $270,807.98 restitution and $75,000 fine. Mr. Dickey was convicted of tax crimes for failing to pay his taxes and was also sentenced to a term of imprisonment.
• $250,000 from Larry Price, Jr., a former official of Signal Peak energy, LLC, who was convicted of fraud and other crimes.
• $100,000 from U.S. Minerals, Inc., which was convicted of negligent endangerment for exposing workers to arsenic at its former Anaconda plant.

Funds collected for civil judgments and paid to victims include:

• $180,000 from Dr. David Bellamah, who agreed to pay more than $3.7 million to settle alleged False Claims Act violations.
• $1,156,929.30 from Kalispell Regional Healthcare, which was the final payment from a 2018 settlement where it agreed to pay more than $1 million for alleged False Claims Act violations.
• $5,394,890.78 from Atlantic Richfield in payment of its multimillion-dollar settlement for cleaning up the Anaconda Smelter Superfund Site.

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. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Montana, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $881,629 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2024. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

XXX

MISSOULA — A Kalispell man who admitted to aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft was sentenced today to two and one-half years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Nolan Wayne Hamman, 32, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

In court documents, the government alleged that on Nov. 25, 2023, a flight instructor operating a plane over Kalispell called 911 to report a person shining a laser pointer at her plane while she was flying with a minor student. Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded and located Hamman on the ground with the laser pointer. Hamman admitted to shining the laser at the plane while it was in flight. Further, Hamman engaged in this behavior over several months, and evidence demonstrated he pursued these planes because he believed they were tracking him. Hamman’s actions continually endangered multiple pilots, including two juveniles, and the safety of those on the ground in the Kalispell area.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force, Federal Aviation Administration, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and Kalispell Police Department conducted the investigation.

XXX

BILLINGS — A Columbus man accused of attempting to send obscene material to a minor during an undercover investigation admitted to a charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Jacob Curtis Wyckoff, 25, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. Wyckoff faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Wyckoff was released pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that in January 2023, law enforcement in the Billings area set up an undercover operation relating to those with a sexual interest in children. The undercover persona was that of a 14-year-old female. The undercover posed on a social media site and on Jan. 26, 2023, Wyckoff reached out on KIK, using the profile name of “Jake Smith.” The undercover made Wyckoff aware in communications that she was “almost 15.” In communications between the two from January 2023 to July 14, 2023, discussions became increasingly sexual in nature. On multiple occasions, Wyckoff expressed a desire to meet the “child” for a sexual encounter. On July 6, 2023, Wyckoff sent the undercover a picture of his allegedly erect penis in his jeans and made sexually suggestive comments.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, Laurel Police Department, and Montana Division of Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

XXX

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt:

Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. Desoto and pleading not guilty on Jan. 30 was:

Oscar Gonzalez-Perez, 36, of Hesperia, California, on charges of distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Gonzalez-Perez faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Gonzalez-Perez was released pending further proceedings. The Missouri River Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-12.

Nolan A. Anselmi, 28, of Bozeman, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Anselmi faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release on the drug charges and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm charge. Anselmi was released pending further proceedings. The Missouri River Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-23.

Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Jan. 30 was:

David Alan Moorse, 39, of Helena, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Moorse faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Moorse was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI’s Montana Violent Crime Task Force conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 25-3.

The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

XXX

MISSOULA — A Stevensville timber frame home builder who was convicted at trial of defrauding customers by using their payments for his own personal expenses instead of building them homes was sentenced today to five years and three months in prison and ordered to pay $1,855,025.25 restitution, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

A federal jury in September 2024 convicted the defendant, Brett Mauri, 61, of four counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The court also ordered the prison term to be followed by three years of supervised release. The court remanded Mauri to the custody of U.S. Marshals Service.

In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that Mauri owned and operated Bitterroot Timber Frames (BTF) and Three Mile Creek Post & Beam, LLC. According to Mauri and the company’s website, BTF built custom timber frame homes across the United States. The government alleged that between 2018 and 2022, Mauri defrauded nine individuals who hired him to build their timber frame homes. Mauri obtained payments from these customers and lied to them about his operations and what he was doing with their money. Mauri ultimately provided little to nothing in return. Mauri’s actions affected nine families and hourly employees he failed to pay.

The scheme involved Mauri inducing customers to send him funds, which were ultimately deposited into his or his wife’s bank accounts. Mauri and his wife primarily used the money for personal expenses, shopping sprees and travel instead of building the homes as he promised. What work Mauri did perform on victims’ projects gave his operation the hallmarks of a Ponzi scheme. He frequently solicited new money from a victim and used the funds, in part, to cover past expenses that were often incurred on earlier projects. In exchange, Mauri provided very little materials or services, and some victims received nothing at all. Those who received some construction work were forced to incur significant expenses to correct Mauri’s substandard product and finish their builds or to sell their land when they realized Mauri’s promises would never come to fruition. Victims had hired Mauri to build homes in the Montana communities of Whitehall, Victor, Corvallis and Missoula, and in New York, Utah, and Louisiana.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.

XXX

MISSOULA — A Havre man who admitted to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl in Montana was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Lance Jon Stimson, 33, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

The government alleged in court documents that the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force was investigating an individual for distributing fentanyl in Missoula. The investigation showed that the individual supplied Stimson with meth and fentanyl to distribute. In April 2024, officers arrested Stimson for absconding from supervision and located 310 fentanyl pills and 28 grams of heroin in his vehicle. Stimson admitted to working with the individual to distribute more than 7,000 fentanyl pills and 17 ounces of meth between October 2023 and April 2024.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who admitted to beating and then using a belt to assault a woman on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to three years and two months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Briar Joseph Crawford, 29, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to assault with a dangerous weapon.

Chief U.S District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

The government alleged in court documents that on Aug. 6, 2023, Crawford went to Glacier National Park go fishing with the victim, identified as Jane Doe. After consuming alcohol, Crawford and Doe argued, and the conflict escalated to Crawford assaulting Doe over several hours. At one point, Crawford removed his belt, wrapped it around Doe’s neck, grabbed it and lifted her weight off the ground until she blacked out. Doe suffered numerous injuries from the prolonged assault.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder man who admitted to assaulting a woman by cutting her face with a knife during an argument on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation was sentenced today to five years and seven months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Colten Tyrone Small, also known as Colton Swan, 22, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

In court documents, the government alleged that in the early morning hours of May 3, 2023, Small punched the victim, identified as Jane Doe, in the face while he held a butcher knife in a residence in Box Elder, on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation. A witness to the assault told law enforcement that Small sliced Doe’s face in the residence. Small and Doe argued, and the fight got more aggressive. After Small cut Doe’s face, the witness beat up Small. There was some fentanyl and alcohol use occurring at the time. Doe was treated at Northern Montana Hospital in Havre for facial injuries from the knife.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A Helena man who admitted to a firearm crime after a welfare check led to him being arrested on a warrant while attempting to flee officers was sentenced today to seven years and three months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Scott Hamilton, 44, pleaded in October 2024 to receipt of a firearm and ammunition with intent to commit a felony.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

In court documents, the government alleged that at 4 a.m. on Dec. 20, 2023, law enforcement officers stopped a man wearing dark clothing and carrying a duffel bag on Montana Highway 12 for a welfare check. The man, identified as Hamilton, told officers he had car trouble and was walking to East Helena. Officers learned there was an active warrant for Hamilton out of Broadwater County. When officers attempted to arrest Hamilton, he fled across the highway and dropped his bag as he ran. Officers pursued and arrested Hamilton and recovered the duffle bag. Inside the duffle bag were two firearms, a .22 caliber revolver and a 9mm pistol, and numerous rounds of ammunition. Hamilton had prior felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing firearms.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A Helena man accused of trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl he received from suppliers in California and Oregon admitted to a conspiracy charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Charles Clifford Hamlin, 61, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Hamlin faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for June 5. Hamlin was detained pending further proceedings.

In a plea agreement filed in the case, the parties agreed that Hamlin would serve a sentence within a stipulated range of 15 years to 20 years in prison.

In court documents, the government alleged that the Missouri River Drug Task Force and United States Postal Service began investigating Hamlin after they intercepted a package intended for Hamlin in August 2021. The package contained approximately three pounds of meth. Over the next several years, investigators spoke with numerous sources who identified Hamlin as a large-scale narcotics distributor. Two sources worked with Hamlin to bring meth from California to Montana, and one source went to Oregon to obtain meth for Hamlin to distribute. The sources stated the deliveries to Hamlin ranged from between one pound to three pounds.

Another source told investigators about receiving ounces of meth and “rolls” of fentanyl pills regularly from Hamlin. Hamlin received deliveries every two and one-half weeks from a source in Oregon. Each delivery was approximately seven pounds of meth, 4,000 to 7,000 fentanyl pills, two ounces of cocaine and two ounces of heroin.

In December 2023, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on Hamlin and his truck was searched based on a suspected probation violation. Officers located approximately 18 grams of meth in his gas tank flap. Investigators also made controlled buys of meth and fentanyl pills from Hamlin. In February 2024, law enforcement stopped an individual in Powell County, and the person had nine pounds of meth and 6,200 fentanyl pills. Approximately six pounds of the meth was destined for Hamlin.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Missouri River Drug Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Helena Police Department, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and Montana Highway Patrol conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who admitted to burning a woman on the hand with a hot knife in a residence on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to three years and five months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Dale Ray Racine, 32, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to assault with a dangerous weapon.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

The government alleged in court documents that in the early morning hours of Feb. 14, 2024, Racine was drinking at a residence in Browning. The victim, Jane Doe, also was present. At some point, Racine placed a knife in a wood stove until it was red hot. Racine removed the knife from the fire and burned Doe with it. Doe reported to law enforcement and medical providers that Racine was trying to brand her neck. Doe held up her hand to stop the branding, at which point Racine intentionally burned her hand. Doe was treated for second-degree burns to her hand. Racine committed the assault one month after having been released from federal prison and while on supervision for an assault he committed in 2021 in which he repeatedly struck a man in the head with a metal pipe.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and FBI, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, investigated the case.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A federal judge today sentenced a Billings man who admitted to armed trafficking of methamphetamine and other substances on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, David Victor Fast Horse, 36, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to possession with intent to distribute meth and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

In court documents, the government alleged that on Aug. 30, 2022, tribal law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of a pickup truck on Upper Road on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation because officers believed the driver had a tribal warrant for her arrest. A man jumped out of the front passenger seat and began running. A Rocky Boy’s police officer caught up with the man, later identified as Fast Horse, and found him retreating around a shed. Officers retraced Fast Horse’s path and located a green pistol and black case hidden near a woodpile where he had emerged. Fast Horse said he was given the gun and case and told to run. Officers opened the case and found 18 blue pills, which tested for a mixture of substances, two small baggies with a small amount of meth, a digital scale and a car key. Fast Horse later admitted he sold meth, but not fentanyl, and that he had come to Rocky Boy’s to buy drugs from his friend. Fast Horse is prohibited from possessing firearms because of a prior federal felony conviction for burglary.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Rocky Boy’s Police Department, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.

XXX

MISSOULA —A Washington man with a bank robbery conviction admitted today to illegally possessing firearms after law enforcement removed him from an Amtrak train in Libby and found him in possession of multiple guns, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Mallory Nehemiah Brown, 43, of Auburn, Washington, pleaded guilty to prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Brown faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for May 29 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Brown was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that in 2004, Brown was convicted of bank robbery in federal district court in California and prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. On Jan. 8, 2024, Brown boarded an Amtrak train in Seattle, Washington, with a black duffel bag and several long boxes. Brown placed his bags and boxes on the luggage rack. The train was bound for Washington, D.C., with a stop in Chicago, Illinois. On Jan. 9, 2024, the train stopped in Libby based on a complaint by other passengers about Brown. Law enforcement removed Brown from the train. The train conductor located Brown’s bags. Inside, he discovered four firearms, ammunition, magazines, a suppressor, eight firearms receivers, night vision goggles, a tactical vest and other assorted accessories. The four firearms were identified as a .22LR HV rifle, which had a serial number; a 12-gauge pump shotgun with an obliterated serial number; a 12-gauge semi-auto shot gun with no visible serial number; and a 9mm semi-auto pistol with no visible serial number. Brown denied the bags belonged to him, however, several Amtrak employees identified Brown as the person who loaded the bags on the train. One of the boxes had a shipping label on it addressed to “Mallory Brown.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Libby Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, FBI and Montana Probation and Parole conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

BILLINGS — A Lame Deer woman today admitted to assault charges after two passengers were seriously injured when the vehicle she was driving rolled on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Kendra Carol Cook, 34, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Cook faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on each count.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Cook was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that on May 18, 2023, the FBI received a report that a car driven by Cook had rolled north of Lame Deer, injuring Cook and her two passengers. Cook was under the influence of alcohol at the time. A witness reported finding two women who were injured. The women told her that Cook had left the scene. One of the passengers, Jane Doe 2, was in the back seat, while another passenger, Jane Doe 1, was in the front seat. Cook told Doe 2 that she was drinking whiskey before picking her up. They bought alcohol and were drinking it while driving to Lame Deer. Cook was swerving all over the road, and, in Doe 2’s opinion, intentionally trying to wreck. Cook accelerated and turned the wheel, causing the car to go into a ditch and start flipping. Doe 1 estimated Cook was driving approximately 80 miles and hour and slowed to approximately 60 mph when they started swerving. Doe 1 denied there was any fighting or interfering with Cook. Cook acknowledged being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the wreck and claimed she and the passengers were fighting over the alcohol. Both victims suffered fractures and other serious injuries. The rollover occurred in a 35-mph speed zone.

GREAT FALLS — A Browning man convicted by a federal jury of distributing fentanyl that resulted in the death of a man in his home on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 20 years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

A jury in September 2024 found the defendant, Douglas Darren Malatare, 59, guilty of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl as charged in an indictment following a three-day trial.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

“Malatare’s fentanyl trafficking resulted in the death of a man who was found dead by his mother. The victim could only afford half a pill from Malatare and it killed him after he ingested it. Fentanyl continues to be our nation’s deadliest illicit drug threat, and it is devastating families and communities, especially in Indian Country. Our office and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue and hold accountable those responsible for poisoning people,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

At trial and in court documents, the government alleged that on Nov. 19, 2022, the mother of the victim, John Doe, 49, with whom she shared a residence, found him deceased in his bathroom. Doe’s body showed no obvious signs of cause of death. Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and the Glacier County coroner investigated. In Doe’s bedroom, law enforcement found blue powder and a straw on top of a dresser. Doe’s mother reported that Doe had been at the residence the evening before. That evening, Doe’s friend, Malatare, had visited with Doe outside the residence. Doe and his mother then had dinner, during which she noticed Doe had a hard time staying awake. Doe’s mother found him unresponsive in the bathroom. An autopsy determined that Doe died from acute fentanyl intoxication.

The government further alleged that a law enforcement search of Doe’s cell phone found a text exchange of Malatare asking if Doe was “looking.” Doe responded: “Yeah, I’ll be home. Just got off work. I can only afford half if you can stop by.” Malatare replied, “Watch for me.”

An investigation determined that beginning in at least September 2022, Malatare was bringing fentanyl from Washington to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and made several quick trips back and forth to Washington between September and December 2022. On Dec. 17, 2022, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services made a traffic stop of Malatare, and a K-9 alerted on his vehicle, which was seized for a search warrant. Malatare was arrested tribally for fentanyl pills he had in his personal pouch that he sought to take with him. While in the Browning jail, Malatare bragged to a cellmate that he was buying pills in Washington and selling them in Montana for much higher rates. Law enforcement found hundreds of fentanyl pills in a search of Malatare’s vehicle.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office, DEA, and FBI conducted the investigation.

XXX

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt:

Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Jan. 21 was:

Jared Cordell Stewart, 53, of Crow Agency, on charges of abusive sexual contact of a minor and sexual abuse of a minor. If convicted of the most serious crime, Stewart faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years of supervised release. Stewart was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 25-10.

Shawn Leon Anderson, 54, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute meth and fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Anderson faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and at least three years of supervised release. Anderson was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.  PACER case reference. 24-38.

Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Jan. 21 was:

Stephen Joe Boardner, 61, of Columbia Falls, on charges of conspiracy to distribute meth and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Boardner faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Boardner was detained pending further proceedings. The Northwest Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 22-36.

The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

XXX

MISSOULA — An Indiana man who admitted to possessing child pornography after investigators in Bozeman found thousands of images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on his cell phone was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Todd Schannen Pearson, 55, of Indianapolis, Indiana, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to possession of child pornography.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The court also ordered $42,000 restitution.

The government alleged in court documents that in June 2020, Verizon reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that a user had uploaded to its cloud storage five files that depicted a prepubescent minor engaged a lascivious display of her genital area. An investigation by the Bozeman Police Department determined that Pearson owned the account and that he had uploaded other images to Verizon’s cloud storage. In September 2021, Bozeman police seized a cell phone from Pearson’s person in Bozeman, and a forensic analysis revealed Pearson’s phone contained at least an additional 10,002 images and 84 videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. These images were transported to Pearson’s cell phone using the internet.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bozeman Police Department, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Montana Sexual and Violent Offender Registry conducted the investigation.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

XXX

MISSOULA — A Dillon man who admitted to trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl he obtained in Washington for distribution in southwest Montana was sentenced today to 11 years and three months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Jason Louie Tong, 50, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

The government alleged in court documents that in March 2023, the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation learned that Tong was distributing drugs in southwest Montana. Law enforcement recovered drugs from Tong’s vehicle twice in 2023, and during a third stop in 2023, officers arrested him and recovered drugs from his vehicle. Tong took at least four trips to Washington in 2023 to procure meth and fentanyl, with each trip yielding between five and 10 pounds of meth and 10,000 to 50,000 fentanyl pills.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Montana Highway Patrol, Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office, Butte Silver Bow Law Enforcement and Idaho State Police conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

XXX

MISSOULA — A former nurse practitioner in Butte was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for falsely billing an insurance company approximately $62 million for vitamin B-12 injections in which she received approximately $613,108 for the false claims, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Tristan Ashley Svejkovsky, 41, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to health care fraud and to use of a registration number issued to another person.

U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The court also ordered $613,108 in restitution. The court allowed Svejkovsky to self-report to the U.S. Marshals Service.

The government alleged in court documents that Svejkovsky was a nurse practitioner whose license was suspended by the Montana Board of Nursing on April 1, 2022. Svejkovsky continued to prescribe controlled substances using her own name and Drug Enforcement Administration registration number until June 2022. After contact by the DEA, Svejkovsky agreed to voluntarily surrender her DEA registration. However, Svejkovsky continued to prescribe controlled substances using the name and DEA registration number of a friend who also was nurse practitioner. Svejkovsky misrepresented to her friend that her nursing license was on probation, not suspended, and that she would not use her friend’s information to prescribe drugs. In fact, Svejkovsky used her friend’s DEA registration number to write at least 28 prescriptions for controlled substances.

The government further alleged that Svejkovsky falsely billed Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana for 158 vitamin B-12 injections that did not occur and stole $613,108 from the insurance company. In August 2021, Svejkovsky started falsely increasing the number of units of a standard vitamin B-12 injection from one unit to 1,000 units, thereby increasing the payment from the insurance company for each injection from roughly $4.88 to $4,880. After her license was suspended, Svejkovsky started submitting numerous such claims each month to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana by backdating claims to supposedly before her license was suspended. This conduct continued through May 2022, when Svejkovsky submitted four claims, this time claiming $15 million per vitamin B-12 injection to a new patient. In total, Svejkovsky billed the insurance company $62,310,000 in fraudulent claims for false vitamin B-12 injections and stole $613,108 from the insurance company.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The DEA and FBI conducted the investigation.

XXX

BILLINGS — The U.S. Marshals Service Montana Violent Offender Task Force today commemorated and celebrated its 20th Anniversary of working in partnership with federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement agencies to arrest violent fugitives on felony warrants, closing a total of 22,520 warrants across Montana, the United States and globally, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich and U.S. Marshal Craig Anderson announced today.

During a joint press conference in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Attorney Laslovich and Marshal Anderson discussed the MVOTF’s mission and accomplishments. Joining in the celebration were former U.S. Marshals Darrell J. Bell and Dwight MacKay, along with representatives of the MVOTF 41 partner law enforcement agencies.

“For 20 years, the brave people who have served on the Montana Violent Offender Task Force have consistently risked their own lives to keep all of us safe. Their extensive training, collaboration, and courage have removed thousands of dangerous and violent offenders from our streets, most without incident. And while it is difficult to measure the number of lives they’ve saved, we know it is significant. They are the best of our state and nation. As we pause to celebrate the extraordinary work of the last 20 years, we also pledge to every Montanan that we are just as committed to the work ahead and we will never rest until justice is achieved,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

“Looking beyond the dangers the Task Force members faced each time they made an arrest and looking beyond the incalculable positive impacts the seizures of guns and drugs have had, there is one over-arching and significant take away. And that is the irrefutable evidence that when law enforcement agencies from tribal, local, county, state and federal agencies coalesced around the mission of tracking down Montana’s most dangerous criminals, these are the results that followed,” U.S. Marshal Anderson said. “Montanans should expect and deserve this level of coordination and cooperation from their law enforcement agencies.  And we should celebrate when those successes produce such fantastic results.”

Since 1865, when Montana was still a Territory, the U.S. Marshals Service has been hunting wanted persons on behalf of Montana citizens and the federal government. In 2005, under the Presidential Threat Protection Act and with the Attorney General’s direction, the U.S. Marshals Service established the MVOTF for Montana. At the time, the MVOTF was one of five similar task forces started in the country. The U.S. Marshals Service oversees permanent task forces composed of federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest fugitives. At its beginning, the MVOTF’s charter members included the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Montana Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and Billings Police Department. Over the past 20 years, 41 agencies and 164 law enforcement officers have participated on the MVOTF, with 38 agencies currently participating.

The U.S. Marshals Service deputizes task force officers from the various agencies, which allows officers to work across jurisdictions. Task force members share resources and prioritize warrants to identify and pursue the most wanted and violent fugitive to improve public safety.

In the 20 years of its existence, the MVOTF has closed a total of 22,520 arrest warrants. The task force also has seized a total of 531 firearms and pounds of narcotics, including methamphetamine, fentanyl pills and powder, cocaine, heroin, marijuana and prescription pills. In addition, task force arrests have resulted in seizures of 91 vehicles, $598,196 in U.S. currency and $61,040 in counterfeit currency.

To celebrate the 20 years of service to the United States and State of Montana, the U.S. Marshals Service has authorized a commemorative patch to be awarded to current and past MVOTF members, along with a patch for past and present participating agencies.

The MVOTF members include:

• Charter members: U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General; Montana Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole; Billings Police Department; and Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office.
• Current members: Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Gallatin, Dawson, Custer, Carbon, Big Horn, Cascade, Glacier, Roosevelt, Valley, Hill, Pondera, Fergus, Judith Basin, Lewis and Clark and Missoula county sheriff’s offices; Bozeman, Laurel, Red Lodge, Glendive, Great Falls, Cut Bank, and Helena police departments; Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services, Fort Peck Department of Law and Justice; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Border Patrol-Havre Sector; Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Forest Service, Region 1; and Montana Highway Patrol.
• Past members: Montana Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, Sexual or Violent Offender Registry; U.S. Postal Inspection Services; and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A Heart Butte man accused of sexually abusing children on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation admitted to charges on Jan. 14, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Bradley Joseph Guardipee, 26, pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging him with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse and commission of a sex offense by a registered sex offender. Guardipee faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years to life of supervised release on the aggravated sexual abuse charges and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, consecutive to any sentence imposed on the aggravated sexual abuse charges, for the commission of a sexual offense by a registered sex offender.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for May 28. Guardipee was detained pending further proceedings.

In a plea agreement, the parties agreed that a specific disposition of between 20 years and 30 years in prison is appropriate in this case.

The government alleged in court documents that in July 2024, Jane Doe 3 disclosed that she was sexually assaulted by Guardipee in 2022, when she was 11 and was in a residence alone with Guardipee. Doe 3 was taking a nap when Guardipee sexually assaulted her. Doe 3 reported that she knew at least four other girls who were sexually abused by Guardipee. Forensic interviews followed and six girls disclosed some kind of abusive touching by Guardipee.

The government also alleged that Jane Doe 1 reported being sexually abused by the defendant since she was about three years old. She reported in March 2024, when she was 12 years old, that Guardipee sexually abused her while she was in a vehicle with him. At the time of the March 2024 assault on Doe 1, Guardipee was required to register as a sex offender. Guardipee was required to register after being convicted by a guilty plea in May 2023 to sexual assault in state District Court in Cascade County.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and the FBI conducted the investigation.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A federal judge today sentenced a Browning man to 13 years in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for sexually abusing a child on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and for sending sexually explicit photographs of himself to minors, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Treston Lane Kickingwoman, 29, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to one count of abusive sexual contact and two counts of transfer of obscene material to a minor.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

In court documents, the government alleged that in 2022, the victim, Jane Doe 1, disclosed to law enforcement that when she was about six years old, in 2014 or 2015, Kickingwoman sexually abused her one time. While staying at a house in Browning, Kickingwoman laid down on the bed by her and sexually abused her. Kickingwoman stopped when another person started moving in the room.

Nearly a decade later, in March 2024, an FBI online covert employee with a fictitious persona as a juvenile began communicating on Facebook with Kickingwoman. Kickingwoman sent the persona explicit pictures and videos of his genitalia and solicited sexually explicit pictures from her. During a search of Kickingwoman’s Facebook account, law enforcement discovered that Kickingwoman had sent pictures of his nude genitalia to dozens of separate Facebook accounts. Investigators identified two Facebook accounts for juvenile girls, Jane Doe 2 and Jane Doe 3, who were living on the Blackfeet Reservation. Law enforcement interviewed both girls, who confirmed that they had messaged with Kickingwoman on Facebook Messenger in the summer of 2023, when they were 12 years old and that they told him they were 13. Kickingwoman sent both girls pictures of his nude genitalia and solicited sexually explicit pictures from them. Jane Doe 2 provided the requested photographs to Kickingwoman through his Facebook account.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls man accused of strangling a woman and abusing a child on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation admitted to charges yesterday, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Lane Thomas Lamere, 36, pleaded guilty to strangulation and to felony child abuse. Lamere faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the strangulation charge and a maximum of five years in prison, a $50,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the felony child abuse charge.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for May 14. Lamere was released pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that on January 12, 2024, in Box Elder, on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation, Lamere entered the residence of his ex-girlfriend, identified as Jane Doe 2, who was home with a child, identified as Jane Doe 1, who was under 14 years of age. Lamere dragged Jane Doe 2 to a bedroom and choked her. Jane Doe 1 entered the room during the strangulation, and Lamere grabbed her and began assaulting the child. Jane Doe 2 ran to get help from a neighbor, who called the police as they ran back to Jane Doe 2’s house. Both Jane Doe 2 and the neighbor tried to pull Lamere off the child and struck him with a snow shovel, but he did not release Jane Doe 1. A Rocky Boy’s Police Department officer arrived and ultimately tased Lamere when he did not respond to orders to get off Jane Doe 1. Both victims were transported to Northern Montana Hospital and were treated for injuries.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Rocky Boy’s Police Department and the FBI conducted the investigation.

XXX

MISSOULA — The owner of a business that operated in Belgrade admitted today to failing to pay federal income taxes, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Guy S. Cook, 59, of Dripping Springs, Texas, pleaded guilty to tax evasion. Cook faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $100,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Cook was released pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that from about January 2014 to Nov. 18, 2021 in Belgrade, Cook willfully attempted to evade paying income taxes for calendar years 2014 and 2015. Cook owned Bacterin International, Inc., a business that developed clinical medical laboratories. In 2014, Cook sold his shares in the company and obtained $2,467,176 in capital gains. Cook reported this income in 2014 and 2015 including taxes due of $604,574 and $39,310 respectively. Cook did not pay these amounts to the IRS, though his tax preparer advised him he was required to do so.

Between 2017 and 2021, Cook took steps to avoid paying his taxes, including using business bank accounts and a company credit card to pay more than $300,000 of his personal expenses and debts; using nominee bank accounts to remove more than $380,000 from his business for personal use; and converting more than $600,000 in his salary to stock in his business.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder man today admitted to sexually abusing a child on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Brian Lee Bigbow, 47, pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact. Bigbow faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for May 20. Bigbow was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that in April 2021, the victim, identified as Jane Doe 1, reported to state officials that she was sexually abused by Bigbow. In subsequent interviews, Doe 1 said the sexual abuse occurred when she was in Bigbow’s bedroom and that he had sexually abused her multiple times. Doe 1 was under the age of 12 years old at the time.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Criminal Investigators conducted the investigation.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A Browning woman accused of striking another woman from behind, causing serious injury to the victim’s eye, in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, admitted to an assault charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Autumn Rose Rider, 30, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Rider faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for March 20, 2025. Rider was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that on July 24, 2022, the victim, Jane Doe, and Rider’s father drove Rider to a residence in Browning. While Jane Doe was standing outside of the vehicle and getting back into the car, Rider hit her from behind. The assault caused a laceration and caused Jane Doe to feel like there was a piece of glass in her eye. The victim was not sure if Rider hit her with a bottle or struck her with a fist and broke her glasses. Jane Doe was ultimately transported to Kalispell Regional Hospital for treatment of injuries to her eye and face.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.

XXX

MISSOULA — A Tennessee man accused of creating and selling unapproved drugs for use in bodybuilding from his Kalispell business known as Rat’s Army admitted to a federal crime on Jan. 9, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Tyler Jordan Hall, 31, of Greenville, Tennessee, was arraigned on and pleaded guilty to an information charging him with introduction of unapproved drugs into interstate commerce. Hall faces a maximum of three years in prison, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for May 15 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Hall was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that from June 2020 through March 2022, Hall operated a business in Kalispell known as Rat’s Army, LLC, to import, create, bottle and label drugs. Hall marketed these substances to individuals in the bodybuilding and fitness community to increase muscle mass, reduce body fat and counter the unwanted side effects of using bodybuilding drugs. Hall regularly caused the introduction of unapproved new drugs containing Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) and other active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) into interstate commerce.

Many of these substances were not safe for human use except for under the supervision of a practitioner licensed to administer prescription drugs. Some drugs were of similar composition to Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs, which require special boxed warnings in their labeling emphasizing serious potential side effects, including pulmonary embolism.

The government further alleged that Hall obtained proceeds of approximately $3,805,470 from Rat’s Army. This income was, at least in part, from the sale of unapproved drugs, including Raloxifene, Tamoxifen and Pramipexole, in interstate commerce.

Hall knowingly took steps to mislead and defraud United States regulatory agencies, including the FDA, about the true nature of products he was selling on the Rat’s Army website. Hall falsely portrayed his products as “research chemicals” and “not for human consumption,” despite knowing and intending that the products were for human ingestion to affect the structure and function of their bodies. Hall also took steps to mislead and defraud consumers to whom he was offering the sale of these drugs by posting misleading Certificates of Analysis on the website to convince consumers that Rat’s Army was manufacturing products which were legitimate and safe to consume.

Hall knew the substances he was distributing required prescriptions, but he falsely claimed, “you do not need a doctor to write a prescription” or “access to a pharmacy, or pharmacist” to obtain products through Rat’s Army. He repeatedly held out his company as a “pharmaceutical manufacturing” business, but he was not a pharmacist, nor did he ever employ a licensed pharmacist at Rat’s Army. And Hall never registered Rat’s Army with the FDA as a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility as is required.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FDA conducted the investigation.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A Poplar man who admitted to robbery after carjacking a truck and stabbing the driver on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 57 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Brandon Lee Romero,30, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to robbery.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

In court documents, the government alleged that on April 14, 2023, the victim, identified as John Doe, was contacted by his sister who asked him to pick up Romero and give him a ride because she didn’t want him at her residence. John Doe agreed and, using his father’s truck, picked up Romero and began driving him to Poplar, on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. When Romero got out of the truck, John Doe noticed that Romero had pulled out two knives. John Doe attempted to drive away, but Romero jumped into the truck bed, kicked out the back window, climbed into the truck and stabbed John Doe. The victim exited the truck, and Romero got into the driver’s seat. Romero drove the stolen truck into Williams County, near Williston, North Dakota, and was arrested later that day by law enforcement after he got into a high-speed chase. Romero drove the vehicle into a ditch to avoid spike strips set up by law enforcement, submerged the vehicle in a creek and fled on foot until ultimately surrendering.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. Fort Peck Law Enforcement Services, the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office and the Williston (N.D.) Police Department conducted the investigation.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A federal judge today sentenced an Oregon man to seven years and four months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, after he admitted to trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine in the Helena community, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Olin Carl Herendeen, 48, of Salem, Oregon, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to possession with intent to distribute meth.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

The government alleged in court documents that in June 2022, the Missouri River Drug Task Force began investigating a woman for running a large-scale drug trafficking ring that was bringing large amounts of meth and fentanyl into the Helena area from Washington. Herendeen was a member of the ring and assisted in bringing drugs from Washington to Montana. In February 20023, Herendeen, who was on state probation, went to the state probation and parole office in Helena to check in with his probation officer. Live ammunition was found on his person during a search. Herendeen admitted that there were multiple firearms in the vehicle he was driving. In a search of the vehicle, law enforcement found three firearms, AR-15 parts and approximately one ounce of meth. In an interview, Herendeen admitted to law enforcement to trafficking 50 pounds to 70 pounds of meth and 40,000 pills with the woman leading the ring in the year preceding his arrest. Seventy pounds of meth is the equivalent of approximately 253,680 doses. He also admitted to carrying a firearm for protection during some of the resupply trips to Washington.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Missouri River Drug Task Force and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder woman accused of supplying the Rocky Boys Indian Reservation with large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl from her residence and business and using a firearm during a drug trafficking crime admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Melody Rose Bernard, 50, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and to use of a firearm in the commission of a drug trafficking crime. Bernard faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug charge and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm charge.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Sentencing was set for May 1 in Great Falls. Bernard was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that from October 2023 to May 21, 2024, Bernard trafficked substantial amounts of meth, fentanyl and cocaine to the Rocky Boys Indian Reservation in Hill County. One witness told law enforcement about making four trips for Bernard since November 2023 and estimated transporting 23 pounds of meth, 4,500 fentanyl pills, five ounces of fentanyl powder and three ounces of cocaine for Bernard. The witness further estimated transporting $230,000 for Bernard and watched as Bernard distributed narcotics from her house in Box Elder and from her business, Ziah’s. The witness also admitted that a firearm located in the residence belonged to the witness and that Bernard had given it to the witness for protection.

Law enforcement learned from other individuals that Bernard was selling narcotics out of Ziah’s. One of the individuals described buying fentanyl pills two or three times from Bernard, received 25 to 40 pills each time and was charged $10 to $20 per pill. In an interview with another person, law enforcement learned that Bernard was a source of supply for the Rocky Boys Indian Reservation, dealing from 500 to 1,000 fentanyl pills at a time. Bernard’s common price for a pill was about $40, however, if someone purchased in bulk or if Bernard knew the buyer well, she would sell for as low as $10 to $20 per pill.

On May 21, 2024, law enforcement executed a state search warrant at Bernard’s residence. Both Bernard and a witness were in the house. The witness was located hiding in a bathroom. The agent observed a large amount of meth and cocaine in the bathtub with the water running, and it was apparent to the agent that the witness was attempting to destroy evidence. Law enforcement recovered meth, cocaine and fentanyl pills, approximately $8,800 cash and a firearm.

In addition, on March 27, 2024, co-defendant Airian Mariah Russette purchased two firearms from North 40 Outfitters in Havre and immediately traveled back to Box Elder where she traded the firearms to Bernard in exchange for four oxycodone pills. The two firearms were recovered several hours later after they were used in a double homicide and were still in the possession of the homicide suspects. Russette admitted to lying on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Form 4473 to buy the firearms for someone other than herself, Bernard, a transaction known as a straw purchase. The firearms were a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. Russette is pending sentencing for her conviction in the case.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The ATF, FBI, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Rocky Boy’s Police Department and Hill County Sheriff’s Office, Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office and Havre Police Department conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

XXX

MISSOULA — A Thompson Falls man with two prior federal felony convictions and other state felonies was sentenced today to five years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for admitting to firearms crimes after law enforcement found numerous guns at his residence, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, James Vernon Day, Jr., 56, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to prohibited person in possession of a firearm and to possession of an unregistered firearm.

U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The court also imposed a $20,000 fine.

The government alleged in court documents that Day previously had been convicted in federal court in Montana in 2004 of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and in 2018 of illegal sale of outfitted mountain lion hunts and was prohibited from possessing firearms. Day also had prior state felony convictions in Montana and Idaho. In December 2023, Sanders County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at Day’s property to serve a search warrant for stolen vehicle parts. Day confronted deputies but retreated into his residence as the search began. Day told deputies they could not enter his residence. During the search, Day was generally noncompliant with law enforcement’s requests for more than an hour and, in an effort to hide his illicit behavior, Day set fire to his phone.

During the search, deputies located a .44-caliber rifle in a shop building. The shop also had three gun safes that contained gun parts, including a barrel from an assault rifle and a barrel from a shotgun. Deputies also found a freshly killed deer head. Day eventually exited his residence and was arrested. In a search of Day’s residence, deputies located an additional 36 firearms, which were strewn around the house. One of those firearms, found on the kitchen floor, was a .222-caliber rifle that had a barrel of less than 16 inches. Possession of a firearm with a shortened barrel is against federal law. In Day’s vehicle, deputies found a .44-caliber revolver.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Sanders County Sheriff’s Office and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

XXX

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared recently before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt:

Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Jan. 2 was:

Jeffrey Thomas Maki, 40, of Billings, on charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Maki faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine and five years of supervised release on the bank fraud charge and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the identity theft charge. Maki was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-171.

Appearing on Dec. 23, 2024 was:

Ricardo Alberto Salazar Contreras, 33, unknown residence, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Contreras faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release on the drug charge and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm charge. Contreras was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, FBI and Montana Highway Patrol conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-169.

Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Dec. 30, 2024 was:

Felipe Michael Garza, 31, of Washington, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Garza faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug charge and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Garza was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-65.

The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

XXX

MISSOULA — A Missoula man who admitted to distributing pounds of methamphetamine and thousands of fentanyl pills that were shipped from Washington was sentenced today to 19 years and seven months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Alejandro Romero, 36, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

“We won’t make progress against our nation’s drug epidemic unless the biggest drug traffickers are held accountable, which we’ve done today. Romero is responsible for peddling pounds and pounds of meth and thousands of fentanyl pills, including pink pills, as well as distributing fentanyl powder. His lengthy federal prison sentence shows we are determined to make the progress Montanans expect and deserve regarding drug traffickers poisoning our communities,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

The government alleged in court documents that from December 2023 through March 2024 in Missoula, Romero possessed fentanyl, and meth for distribution. During the sentencing hearing, the court noted that Romero was distributing fentanyl, including pink fentanyl. Pink fentanyl is a more potent form of the drug. One individual purchased approximately two pounds of meth directly from Romero in separate transactions and also purchased fentanyl pills and heroin from him. The individual also witnessed Romero in his hotel room and in possession of thousands of fentanyl pills, pounds of powdered fentanyl, 10 pounds of meth, which is the equivalent of approximately 36,240 doses, and a little more than two pounds of heroin. Another individual received approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills in Washington in a drug transaction that Romero arranged and had fronted the individual $3,000 to obtain the pills. When interviewed Romero admitted that he distributed in Montana large quantities of meth and fentanyl that had been shipped from Washington.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force and Missoula Police Department conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

XXX

MISSOULA — Two Missoula residents accused of working together to distribute more than 100,000 fentanyl pills and pounds of meth in the community admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendants, Taylor Gale Penny, 35, and Joey Lee Forward, 34, each pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. The defendants face a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for April 24, 2025 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Penny was detained pending further proceedings. Forward was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force was investigating Penny and Forward for distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine from November 2023 until September 2024. Information received indicated the defendants were moving more than 100,000 fentanyl pills and pounds of meth. During various encounters with law enforcement, the defendants possessed more than 1,000 fentanyl pills and 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine. Confidential sources stated that Penny and Forward were the biggest dealers in Missoula.

After her arrest on Sept. 3, 2024, Penny told law enforcement that she began distributing fentanyl in January 2024 to support her habit. In March 2024, she was distributing approximately 5,000 fentanyl pills per week in Missoula. In total, she admitted to distributing well over 120,000 pills over the last nine months.

Penny told law enforcement she met Forward two years prior and was purchasing fentanyl pills from him. They then began to work together, and she would cut him in on profits she received. She estimated that Forward distributed four ounces of methamphetamine every week over the last six months, for approximately six pounds of methamphetamine.

Forward told law enforcement that he would distribute 85 fentanyl pills each day. He admitted also distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl powder.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

XXX

BILLINGS — A Lodge Grass man who admitted to sexually abusing a child on the Crow Indian Reservation was sentenced on Dec. 18 to 20 years in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Marty Edward Plenty Hawk, 30, pleaded guilty in August to aggravated sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact of a child as charged in an indictment.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

“Plenty Hawk manipulated and subjected the victim, a child, to years of sexual abuse. I am relieved he will serve extensive time in federal prison because his repeated conduct toward this child was unconscionable. Our office and law enforcement partners have no greater responsibility than to protect kids by holding dangerous people accountable. This prosecution shows we won’t hesitate to honor that responsibility, which we will continue to do in the future,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

In court documents, the government alleged that between 2021 and May 2023 near Lodge Grass, on the Crow Indian Reservation, Plenty Hawk forced the victim, identified as Jane Doe 1, who was under the age of 12, to engage in a sexual act and in sexual conduct. On May 2, 2023, law enforcement arrested Plenty Hawk after a domestic disturbance at his residence. While in custody, Plenty Hawk wrote a confession that he had been carrying on a sexual relationship with Jane Doe 1. A sexual assault examination of Jane Doe 1 noted injuries consistent with child sexual abuse. In an interview with law enforcement, Plenty Hawk again admitted to having a sexual relationship with Jane Doe 1, including sexual intercourse multiple times.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and BIA conducted the investigation.

XXX

MISSOULA — A Kalispell woman accused in a scheme to activate and use stolen credit or debit cards with personal information obtained from patient records at Kalispell Regional Medical Center admitted to fraud charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Alecia Mae Leonetti, 50, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Leonetti faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised on the wire fraud charge and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the aggravated identity theft charge.

U.S. Magistrate Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for April 24, 2025 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Leonetti was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that between September 2020 and December 2020, Leonetti’s co-defendant, Krista Hall, was employed at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Because of Hall’s employment, she had access to the hospital’s patient records. Leonetti would obtain stolen credit or debit cards and then contact Hall for Hall to look up the cardholder’s personal identifying information. Leonetti would use the personal identifying information to activate the stolen card and then use the card to make purchases or withdraw cash. In one instance, Leonetti obtained a Glacier Bank credit card belonging to John Doe, obtained Doe’s personal identifying information from Hall and activated the card. Leonetti admitted to law enforcement she accumulated more than $2,400 in charges at several Kalispell businesses over two days in September 2020. Hall has pleaded not guilty to charges in the case and is pending trial.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Flathead County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

XXX

BILLINGS — A Billings woman who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine from a Billings residence as part of a multi-state organization supplied by Washington sources was sentenced today to eight years in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Anita Mae Ballestersos, 36, pleaded guilty in August to possession with intent to distribute meth.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

In court documents, the government alleged that beginning in September 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated a group of meth traffickers, including Ballesteros, in the Billings area and twice purchased meth from Ballesteros in controlled buys. Ballesteros was one of seven defendants involved in a multi-state drug trafficking ring that operated from a residence on Sugar Avenue in Billings. A group of males from Washington brought to Montana pounds of meth that Ballesteros and a co-defendant distributed to their network of dealers. Ballesteros was known to distribute most of the meth from this Washington group and sold in ounce and half-pound quantities. Ballesteros also was obtaining and providing firearms to her Washington sources. A co-defendant described Ballesteros as having enough meth to “keep Billings awake.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The DEA conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, for the District of Montana, along with multiple law enforcement partners, today announced the dismantling of a large fentanyl trafficking ring that brought tens of thousands of pills to the community from Washington for distribution and led to convictions of 10 individuals on federal charges. The investigation also led to individuals facing charges in state court.

U.S. Attorney Laslovich, along with Great Falls Police Chief Jeff Newton and Cascade County Attorney Joshua Racki, discussed the investigation during a news conference at the Great Falls Civic Center and were joined by representatives of the Russell Country Drug Task Force. The drug task force is composed federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Great Falls Police Department and Cascade County Sheriff’s Office.

“Taking down fentanyl trafficking rings to reduce drug-related violence and overdoses and death caused by this extremely dangerous drug is critical to the health and safety of our communities, like Great Falls. These traffickers try to move in and enlist local dealers to profit off persons who are addicted to fentanyl. Dismantling this drug organization was possible only through the unwavering commitment and cooperation of our law enforcement partners and prosecutors to bring these defendants to justice. We know the work needs to continue and we will continue to do it,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

“Already this year, in 2024, the Russell Country Drug Task Force interdicted a huge shipment of methamphetamine destined for Great Falls, and the amount of cocaine they’ve seized is nearly triple that of 2023,” Great Falls Police Chief Newton said.

“The Cascade County Attorney’s Office is dedicated to combatting the influx of illicit drugs by holding accountable those who bring them into our communities,” Cascade County Attorney Racki said.

The investigation into fentanyl trafficking in the Great Falls area began in the fall of 2022 and led to a supplier in the Tacoma, Washington, area. The supplier, Joseph Allen Conner, was arrested in June 2023, followed by the arrests of most of the other defendants in a coordinated multi-agency takedown in October 2023 in Great Falls. Several remaining federal defendants were sentenced in October in U.S. District Court in Great Falls.  

The investigation determined that Conner made multiple trips to Montana, including Great Falls, to sell fentanyl pills and to distribute to other local dealers. Conner possessed "buckets full" of fentanyl pills and was seen with what one individual described as a "volleyball size bag" of pills. Conner was sentenced in May to five years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge. Overall, the investigation led to the seizure of tens of thousands of fentanyl pills and at least seven firearms.

In addition to defendant Conner, nine other individuals were charged in federal indictments and convicted.

The federal defendants include:

• Joseph Allen Conner, of Yakima, Washington: conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Sentenced to five years in prison.
• Nicholas Cocklin, of Great Falls: possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Sentenced to one year in prison.
• Alanna Corcoran, of Great Falls: conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Sentenced to Glacier drug court.
• Terry McIntire, of Great Falls: conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Sentenced to two- and one-half years in prison.
• Michael McIntire, of Great Falls: possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison.
• Paul Regimbal, of Great Falls: possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison.
• Iesha Berry-Harris, of Tacoma, Washington: possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Sentence to 15 months in prison.
• David Prien-Pinto, of Great Falls: possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Sentenced to five years in prison.
• Courtney Price, of Great Falls: possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Sentenced to three years and two months in prison.
• Casey Louis Ream, of California: possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the cases. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Russell Country Drug Task Force, Great Falls Police Department and the Cascade County Attorney’s Office investigated the case.

The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A Heart Butte man today admitted to causing a fatal crash on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation after he had been drinking and driving, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Chasen James Kipp, 25, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. Kipp faces a maximum of eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for April 23, 2025. Kipp was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that on Oct. 31, 2023, Kipp was driving a 2022 Dodge Charger near the Cut Bank airport on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation when he crossed the center line of traffic and collided with a sedan. The crash killed the sedan’s driver, identified as Jane Doe. Law enforcement responded and observed Kipp. An officer described Kipp staggering and could smell alcohol on him. A toxicology report showed Kipp had a blood alcohol concentration of .114 and had cocaine in his system. A crash investigation determined that Kipp was going 82 mph in a 65-mph zone when he crossed the center line and struck Doe’s vehicle. Doe was pronounced dead at the scene from blunt force trauma suffered in the crash.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Cut Bank Police Department, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol and FBI conducted the investigation.

XXX