District of Montana

BILLINGS — A Hardin man accused of offering to pay a minor girl for sexual contact and providing her alcohol admitted today to a prostitution-related crime, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, William Serges Joseph, 76, pleaded guilty to use of a facility in interstate commerce in aid of racketeering. Joseph faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Under the terms of plea agreement, the parties agree that a sentence of not less than one year in prison is appropriate.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court set sentencing for April 18, 2025. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Joseph was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that during an interview in March 2023 in Hardin, a juvenile girl, identified as Jane Doe, discussed that she began showing her breasts to Joseph in September 2022. The two messaged each other on Facebook, and Joseph was aware of Doe’s age. Doe disclosed that she allowed Joseph to touch her sexually in exchange for alcohol, and that he asked her for pictures of her naked. In a later interview, Doe said Joseph continued to message her and offered her $50 for sexual contact. A review of Doe’s cellular phone identified a February 2023 message from Joseph with a picture of male genitalia.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs 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.

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GREAT FALLS — A Browning man today admitted to trafficking methamphetamine on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation after an investigation in which law enforcement seized meth and five firearms from his residence, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, David William Sharp, 48, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute meth. Sharp 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 April 23, 2025. Sharp was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that in the spring of 2023, law enforcement in Browning received information that Sharp was distributing meth in and around the community. Witnesses told investigators Sharp received drugs from a supplier in the Kalispell area with the intent of selling them on the Blackfeet Reservation. Law enforcement conducted three controlled buys of meth from Sharp at his residence. Following the last purchase in November 2023, law enforcement executed a tribal search warrant at Sharp’s residence. Investigators seized 296 grams of pure meth, packaged in 11 baggies, drug paraphernalia, and five firearms. The purchased and seized drugs totaled approximately 315 grams of meth.

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

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BILLINGS — A Billings man accused of breaking into police vehicles and stealing a shotgun, body armor and medical supplies admitted to a firearm crime today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Jacob Charles Berger, 28, pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen firearm. Berger 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. Berger was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that in March, the Billings Police Department began an investigation into the vandalism of five law enforcement vehicles that occurred March 5, 2024 to March 15, 2024 in which multiple items were stolen, including medical kits, body armor and, on one occasion, a 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition. Surveillance video from of one of the thefts showed a suspect wearing black shoes and riding a black and red bicycle with skinny tires. Investigators recovered the bicycle and identified three latent fingerprints on the bike as Berger’s. Law enforcement arrested Berger at his residence on an unrelated warrant. Berger admitted to breaking into police vehicles and taking body armor, medical supplies and a shotgun. Officers served a search warrant on Berger’s garage and, along with the shotgun, they located seven other firearms that had been reported stolen between July 2023 and March 2024. Officers also located the medical kits and body armor Berger had taken from the police vehicles.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Billings Police Department 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.

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HELENA — A New Mexico man who admitted stealing 100-year-old items, including letters by the wife of Western artist Charlie “C.M.” Russell, from the Montana Historical Society and selling them on eBay for profit was sentenced today to six months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release, and fined $4,000, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Brian Anthony D’Ambrosio, 50, of Sante Fe, New Mexico, pleaded guilty in July to theft of major artwork.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court also ordered $22,508 restitution. The court allowed D’Ambrosio to self-report to prison.

“D’Ambrosio’s actions were intentional and calculated—designed to steal Montana’s cultural treasures so he could profit. The Montana Historical Society, and all Montanans, were victims of D’Ambrosio’s greed because these documents were deeply rooted in Montana history. Today, D’Ambrosio faced the consequences, and we hope this case serves as a deterrent to anyone considering similar criminal conduct,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

The government in court documents said that D’Ambrosio’s actions targeted artifacts that would reap large profits, including a document tied to world-famous Western artist Charles M. Russell, and included a statement from the Montana Historical Society Staff about the scope of the damage D’Ambrosio caused:

“The items stolen by you (D’Ambrosio) from the collections belong to the people of Montana, not to you for your selfish, greedy purposes. Your actions forced us to implement stricter rules regarding access and use of historical documents, which impacts all future researchers…. The emotional and financial impacts will be felt for generations.”

The government alleged in court documents that D’Ambrosio, while claiming to conduct research at the Montana Historical Society, a museum located in Helena, stole items from the archives from about April 2022 to September 2023. The stolen items included letters written by Nancy Russell, the wife of renowned Western artist Charlie “C.M.” Russell. The stolen items were more than 100 years old, were of cultural heritage and exceeded $5,000 in value. D’Ambrosio then sold and attempted to sell the stolen items for profit on eBay. An undercover FBI agent posed as a would-be purchaser to confirm D’Ambrosio was the individual stealing the items from the Montana Historical Society and selling or attempting to sell the items on eBay for a profit, none of which was authorized.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI Art Crime Team and Helena Police Department conducted the investigation.

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Note: This release has been updated to include a quote from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

MISSOULA — A Whitefish doctor who admitted defrauding Medicare and other federal government health programs through a telemedicine conspiracy that resulted in more than $31 million in false billing was sentenced today to six months in prison, to be followed by six months of home confinement, fined $100,000 and ordered to pay $780,509 restitution, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

The defendant, Ronald David Dean, 64, pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The case was part of the Justice Department’s 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action.

U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The court also ordered Dean to be placed on one year of supervised release after his confinement.

“Submitting false claims for medical services that were not provided will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Dimitriana Nikolov with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northwest Field Office. “Today’s sentencing is a testament to VA OIG’s dedication to investigating those who commit fraud and seek to benefit improperly from programs that are meant for deserving veterans.”

“Our office will continue to work alongside other federal agencies investigating crimes like this. The efforts of the VA-OIG, HHS-OIG and RRB-OIG agents, and the supporting personnel, combatted this fraudulent activity. We have an obligation to protect federal funds, and the abuse of our Medicare system will not be tolerated,” said Railroad Retirement Board Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Douglas Williams.

“Every American pays for healthcare fraud, potentially through higher health insurance premiums, exposure to unnecessary medical procedures, and increased taxes” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. “Ronald Dean put profit before patients. This case, along with the coordinated nationwide effort, reaffirms the FBI’s commitment to investigating fraud, protecting patients, and maintaining the integrity of government funded programs.”

“Holding health care professionals accountable for causing the submissions of false claims to Medicare is crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring critical resources are appropriately used, “ said Special Agent in Charge Linda T. Hanley of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “We are committed to protecting the integrity of federal health care programs and the people who rely on those programs, including investigating schemes that undermine the legitimate delivery of telehealth services.”

The government alleged in court documents that Dean, a licensed physician, was paid by a telemedicine company to sign orders for durable medical equipment that patients did not need. Dean then fraudulently charged Medicare, CHAMPVA and the Railroad Retirement Board programs for telemedicine office visits that did not occur.  The telemedicine company also used Dean’s information to prescribe unneeded and unnecessary covid tests to patients.  The conspiracy ran from about January 2022 until July 2023. The total amount billed to Medicare, the VA and the Railroad Retirement Board based on orders Dean signed was $31,432,001, and the total amount paid from those programs was $13,785,724.

As part of the scheme, Dean relied on information provided by people he did not know, with an unknown amount of training or experience, to prescribe braces for beneficiaries he did not see or evaluate himself. Dean frequently did not even talk to the beneficiaries, and when he did it was merely to tell them the braces were approved. Dean had no idea if those people who received braces actually needed them. With the covid tests, Dean provided blanket authorization for the telemedicine company to send out tests to anyone and bill Medicare for as many covid tests as the company desired.

The case was part of a strategically coordinated, two-week nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 193 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes that resulted in the submission of over $2.75 billion in alleged false billings. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled to line their own pockets, and the Government, in connection with the enforcement action, seized over $231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold, and other assets.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana worked with the Department’s Criminal Division and the following law enforcement organizations to investigate and prosecute the case filed during the enforcement period: the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG), Railroad Retirement Board Office of Inspector General and FBI.

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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 Dec. 13 was:

Jerod John Chambers, 35, of Miles City, on charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of an unregistered short-barreled shotgun. If convicted of the most serious crime, Chambers faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Chambers was detained pending further proceedings. The Miles City Police Department, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-24.

Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan pleading not guilty on Dec. 10 was:

Jeremy Allen Malloy, 42, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Malloy faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Malloy was detained pending further proceedings. The Billings Police Department and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-145.

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

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MISSOULA — A Plains man who admitted to a firearms crime after trying to sell a gun with an obliterated serial number was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Zen York Lowther, 36, pleaded guilty in August to possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

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

The government alleged in court documents that law enforcement learned Lowther was in possession of firearms and controlled substances and was on state parole for felony burglary and theft. Law enforcement also received information that Lowther was engaged in the sale of firearms. Agents arranged for a confidential source to meet with Lowther to purchase firearms. Lowther agreed to sell two pistols and a shotgun on Aug. 2, 2023 in St. Regis. When Lowther arrived, he was taken into custody. In a search of his vehicle, law enforcement located a 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number in a bag along with 9mm ammunition. In addition, there was a 12-gauge shotgun on the center bench seat and $5,257. In a search of Lowther’s residence, agents recovered 19 more firearms and two silencers.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Plains Police Department, Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol 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.

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GREAT FALLS — A federal judge today sentenced a Helena man to 11 years and eight months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl in the community, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Christopher Paris Stockdale, 34, pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute meth and fentanyl.

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

“Stockdale, armed with a gun, worked with others to bring these poisons into Helena.  His conduct had the potential to seriously injure or kill thousands of users, but with today’s sentence, he is no longer a risk to our community for a long time. We will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute drug traffickers like Stockdale to ensure they end up in federal prison with him,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

In court documents, the government alleged that Stockdale possessed multiple firearms and was responsible for importing thousands of fentanyl pills and pounds of meth into the state. Stockdale committed these crimes while on state parole for drug offense. In the spring of 2023, drug task force officers in Helena developed information that Stockdale was working with others to supply various narcotics in the community. The investigation led to Stockdale being detained on parole violations. In a search of his truck, law enforcement located several hundred fentanyl pills, more than 100 grams of meth, a 9mm pistol and several rounds of ammunition.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Missouri River Drug Task Force and the 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.

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BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine as part of multi-state drug organization was sentenced today to 10 years and eight months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Anthony Enemyhunter, 37, pleaded guilty in August to possession with intent to distribute meth.

U.S. Attorney Susan P. Watters presided.

In court documents, the government alleged that Enemyhunter was among a group of individuals involved in a multi-state drug trafficking organization that operated from a residence on Sugar Avenue in Billings. A group of males from Washington brought pounds of meth into Montana and used these individuals to distribute meth and fentanyl. Enemyhunter was identified as selling meth from a Billings hotel. A probation search of his hotel room resulted in the seizure of a firearm, ammunition and a small amount of meth. Enemyhunter also sold meth to a confidential source on two occasions. In February, the Montana Highway Patrol stopped his vehicle and found Enemyhunter to be in possession of meth and several firearms, including one that was stolen.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration 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.

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GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls man today admitted to distributing fentanyl and other drugs in the community while he was on state probation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Michael Shawn O’Neill, 59, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. O’Neill 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 April 10, 2025. O’Neill detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that on Sept. 4, 2023, O’Neill, a convicted felon on state supervision, possessed thousands of fentanyl pills for redistribution, as well as four firearms, methamphetamine and heroin. O’Neill was arrested on Sept. 4, 2023 on a warrant for traveling outside of the district without permission. An investigation led to searches of his vehicle and residence. Law enforcement found 6,500 fentanyl pills, meth, U.S. currency, four firearms and 1,300 rounds of ammunition in his vehicle and additional fentanyl pills and U.S. currency in his residence. Later, officers located heroin and U.S. currency in a backpack retrieved from O’Neill’s vehicle. O’Neill told law enforcement he drove to Spokane to get his supply and believed he was one step away from the Cartel through a third party. He also said he had just spent $12,000 in Spokane on the drugs found in his backpack.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Russell Country Drug Task Force, Montana Probation and Parole 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.

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GREAT FALLS — A Cut Bank man today admitted to assaulting a teenage girl and breaking her jaw in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Elijah John Bullcalf, 21, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Bullcalf 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 April 10, 2025. Bullcalf was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that on May 25, 2023, Bullcalf assaulted the victim, identified as Jane Doe, who was 17 years old, at a residence in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The two got into an argument, and Bullcalf struck Doe in the face, breaking her jaw. Doe was treated the next day for the injury. About a month after the assault, Bullcalf struck Doe again in the same part of the jaw, causing pain and bleeding. In early 2024, Doe and her mother reported the assault to law enforcement, and Bullcalf admitted to the assault.

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

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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 Dec. 5 was:

Artemus Lavelle Brock, 35, of Bozeman, on charges of coercion and enticement to travel to engage in prostitution and transportation for prostitution. If convicted of the most serious crime, Brock faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Brock was detained pending further proceedings. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-35.

Appearing on Dec. 3 was:

John Doe AKA Jose Alfredo Collazo Nadal, of Billings, on charges of false statement in application of a passport. If convicted of the most serious crime, Doe faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Doe was detained pending further proceedings. The Diplomatic Secret Service conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-156.

Appearing on Nov. 26 was:

Cody Lloyd Smith, 41, of Billings, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Smith faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Smith was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Carbon County Sheriff’s Office and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-165.

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

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MISSOULA — An Ennis man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine after law enforcement found two pounds of meth and approximately 50 firearms in his residence was sentenced on Dec. 5 to 12 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Jason Michael Hoover, 47, pleaded guilty in April to possession with intent to distribute meth.

U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen presided.

“Hoover’s drug trafficking conduct was especially dangerous, not only because of the amount of meth involved, but also because of the large number of firearms found in his residence. Hoover used guns as currency to distribute and receive meth. With this sentence, the firearms will no longer be on our streets and neither will Hoover,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

The government alleged in court documents that in July 2022, law enforcement identified Hoover as a suspect in storage unit thefts in Gallatin County. The investigation led to a search in February 2023 of Hoover’s residence, where officers found Hoover and co-defendant Gabriel Boe, attempting to hide in a laundry room. Officers observed a plastic bag of suspected methamphetamine adjacent to Hoover and Boe. After obtaining a second search warrant, law enforcement located more than two pounds of meth near where Hoover and Boe had been found. Officers also located approximately 50 firearms. Hoover told law enforcement he distributed meth and received guns in exchange and that he would trade guns and receive meth. Boe is pending sentencing for his conviction in the case.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Missouri River Drug 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.

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MISSOULA — An Illinois man who admitted to attempting to defraud financial institutions in Bozeman in a scheme using stolen identities and stolen U.S. Treasury checks was sentenced today to five years and five months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Dyonte Scott, 24, of Chicago, Illinois, pleaded guilty in July to bank fraud, possession of stolen U.S. Treasury check and aggravated identity theft.

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

“Sophisticated bank fraud schemes, like the one attempted by Scott and his codefendant, Lorenzo Botello, harm multiple victims—banks, which are targeted for money; private citizens whose personal information is stolen and used; and the federal government through taxpayer-funded U.S. Treasury checks. This multi-state scheme ended in Montana due to the outstanding work of our law enforcement partners and prosecution team,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

“The sentencing of Scott and Botello, who possessed stolen Treasury checks and attempted to deposit the illicit funds, should serve as a resounding message to others who attempt to steal from the federal government,” said Tom Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Denver Field Office. “IRS-CI is thankful for the great relationship we have with our local law enforcement partners in Montana and will diligently combat financial crimes that victimize the American public.”

In court documents, the government alleged that on Jan. 26, law enforcement caught co-defendant Botello, of Las Vegas, Nevada, at a financial institution in Bozeman. Botello had documents that were fraudulently using the identity of a person identified as John Doe. After arresting Botello, law enforcement reviewed his phone and found text messages between Scott and Botello showing that Scott was directing Botello how to lie to the financial institutions to perpetuate a U.S. Treasury check scheme. Scott directed Botello on what to say, what documents to use, what email addresses to provide and the bank location to target.

In one text message, Scott told Botello: “Lmk [how] everything goes[.] I’m right here with u the whole time.”

After opening the accounts, Scott and Botello were then planning on returning to deposit a real, but stolen, U.S. Treasury check totaling almost $1 million. When caught, Scott was carrying a stolen U.S. Treasury check for almost $1 million. Scott tore up the check in front of law enforcement. While in jail, Scott also directed others to delete evidence to obstruct the investigation.

The scheme involved a coordinated network of individuals who traveled throughout the United States attempting to cash million-dollar U.S. Treasury checks with banks. Botello was sentenced in October to 16 months in federal prison for his conviction in the case.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The IRS Criminal Investigation, Bozeman Police Department and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

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GREAT FALLS — A Townsend man accused of illegally possessing guns after he fatally shot his girlfriend’s dog following an argument admitted to a firearms crime on Dec. 4, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Gabriel Martin Puga, 33, pleaded guilty to prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition. Puga 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 April 16, 2025. Puga was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that Puga was convicted of felony criminal endangerment in January in Broadwater County and was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. On March 21, Puga got into an argument with his girlfriend regarding her dogs. The girlfriend told law enforcement that Puga threatened her numerous times, including to use a gun. The same day, Puga took possession of his girlfriend’s .380-caliber pistol and her one-year-old white labrador. Puga asked a friend to go with him to the mountains to help him kill the dog.

The government further alleged that the friend met Puga with the dog in the mountains that day. Puga took possession of the friend’s .45-caliber pistol and shot the dog twice. Puga gave the .45-caliber pistol back to his friend and returned to his girlfriend’s house. The girlfriend said Puga told her he shot the dog twice and showed her a photo of the dog’s pawprint in the snow from where he had shot him. Multiple photos of the deceased dog and messages where Puga referenced shooting the dog were found on the same phone as the photo of the dog’s pawprint. Law enforcement located the deceased dog in the mountains and recovered fur and .45-caliber cartridge casings that were confirmed to have been fired from the friend’s pistol.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office and Helena 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.

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HELENA — A federal judge on Dec. 4 convicted a Boulder felon accused of illegally possessing a firearm he had tried to hide and while he was on state supervision, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

After a one-day bench trial on Nov. 25, Chief U.S. Judge Brian M. Morris announced the verdict on Dec. 4, finding Paul Anthony LaFournaise, 59, guilty of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. LaFournaise faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for April 16, 2025. LaFournaise was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that on May 11, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to reports that LaFournaise was threatening a sister at the family residence because believed the sister had stolen an item of his, a “black bag.” LaFournaise also called 911 to report that his brother had punched him in the face. The brother told deputies he had punched LaFournaise because LaFournaise had threatened his mom and sister and shoved him. Deputies ultimately identified LaFournaise as the primary aggressor and arrested him for partner/family member assault. The investigation determined that the sister had found items belonging to LaFournaise-- a 9mm pistol, a holster, ammunition, drugs and drug paraphernalia-- inside a black bag that was under a sweatshirt in a flowerpot inside a shed. The sister then hid the bag and contents from LaFournaise and was concerned because he is a felon, was on state supervision and prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. LaFournaise told investigators he had handled the gun and had purchased the drugs that were in the black bag. He had received the bag and knew it contained a gun before May 11. LaFournaise further explained that he had hidden the bag earlier in the day on May 11 by placing it in a planter and putting things on top of it.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Montana Probation and Parole and Jefferson 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.

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BROWNING — U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, for the District of Montana, today announced that a six-month-long enforcement initiative led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, in cooperation with, federal, tribal and local enforcement, into drug trafficking on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation has resulted in indictments of multiple individuals.

U.S. Attorney Laslovich, joined by representatives from the DEA, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and Bureau of Indian Affairs, discussed the initiative during a press conference held at the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council offices in Browning, on the Blackfeet Reservation.

The DEA-led the enforcement action was initiated under its Operation Overdrive, which is aimed at combatting rising rates of drug-related violent crime and overdose deaths plaguing American communities. The initiative identifies hot spots to devote its law enforcement resources to communities where criminal drug organizations or networks are causing the most harm. The DEA, working in partnership with federal, tribal and local law enforcement agencies, identified the Blackfeet Reservation as a community for Operation Overdrive.

“Our office is well aware that the scourge of methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking is devastating to Montana communities and disproportionally harming Indian Country, including the Blackfeet Nation. Drug traffickers attempt to move into reservations and enlist residents to deal drugs and collect the proceeds. Focused enforcement actions, like this operation on the Blackfeet Reservation, not only get violent drug dealers and suppliers off the street, but also send the message that traffickers have no safe place on Montana’s Indian reservations. The progress we’ve made with this operation would not have happened without the cooperation of our federal, tribal, and local law enforcement partners, for which I am sincerely grateful,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

 “DEA’s Operation Overdrive shows our commitment to areas of the country experiencing high drug cartel activity, and the violence and crime that comes with it,” said DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen. “I send our sincere thanks to the Blackfeet Reservation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Montana, and commend our tribal, federal, state and local law enforcement partners for their hard work, dedication, and cooperation in bringing criminals to justice.”

The DEA initiative on the Blackfeet Reservation ran from approximately May to October and has resulted so far in the indictments of 11 individuals on various federal drug crimes, primarily involving methamphetamine and fentanyl, and firearms crimes.

Assisting DEA in the enforcement action were Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office and FBI.

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BILLINGS — A Joliet man who admitted to stealing firearms from a Billings pawnshop during a burglary was sentenced today to six years and five months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Lucious Machiavelli, aka Robert Allen Boyden, 48, pleaded guilty in August to theft from a federal firearms licensee.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court also ordered $8,783 in restitution.

The government alleged in court documents that on Sept. 11, 2023, Pawnbrokers West, a federal firearms licensee, in Billings, was burglarized shortly before 3 a.m. Ten firearms were stolen during the break in. Five of the firearms are still at large. Law enforcement learned that Machiavelli was involved in the burglary. Some of the stolen firearms were recovered from the residence of a co-defendant, who told law enforcement that Machiavelli had brought the guns to the residence. Another co-defendant told law enforcement that he and Machiavelli broke into the pawn shop and stole the firearms.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings 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.

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GREAT FALLS — A Hays area man accused of assaulting children on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation admitted to child abuse charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Catcher Cuts The Rope, 52, pleaded guilty to four counts of felony child abuse. Cuts The Rope faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on each count.

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 10, 2025. Cuts The Rope was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that in May, Fort Belknap law enforcement notified the FBI that tribal social services had received a report from Jane Doe 1 about abuse committed by Cuts The Rope against her and two other children, John Doe and Jane Doe 2. John Doe disclosed that Cuts The Rope pointed a rifle at him during 2015 to 2017, when he was approximately 7 or 8 years old, and that two years ago, Cuts The Rope kicked him with boots and punched him, causing injuries. In approximately 2019, Cuts The Rope choked Jane Doe 1, when she was approximately 9 years old, and during 2021 to 2022, Cuts The Rope held a knife against the throat of Jane Doe 2, when she was approximately 10 years old.

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

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GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls woman accused of distributing methamphetamine and traveling outside of Montana to pick up the drug admitted to a conspiracy charge on Monday, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Melissa Ann Barone, 55, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth. Barone 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 March 26, 2025. Barone was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that Barone was involved in distributing meth in the Great Falls area and elsewhere from January 2020 until about April 2024. Numerous individuals who purchased or received meth from Barone corroborated Barone’s involvement. The government alleged that Barone was a drug runner for her co-defendant, Daniel Allen Wakeford, who pleaded guilty to charges and is pending sentencing, and that she borrowed vehicles to travel outside of Montana to pick up meth.

As part of her guilty plea, Barone agreed to forfeit cash totaling $74,951 that was seized from a motorhome and two BMWs, an AK-47 pistol and magazine, a 2016 BMW and a 2002 40-foot motorhome.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS, Great Falls Police Department and Russell Country Drug Task Force conducted the investigation.

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.

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BILLINGS — A Lodge Grass woman who trafficked methamphetamine to multiple Montana Indian reservations as part of large-scale, multi-state conspiracy that was based in her family home on the Crow Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

Sayra Longfox, 26, pleaded guilty in May to possession with intent to distribute meth.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that beginning in 2022, federal law enforcement in a collaborative effort with local and tribal law enforcement, conducted a large-scale, multi-state narcotics trafficking investigation that centered on multiple properties on the Crow Indian Reservation. The properties, including one referred to as Spear Siding, received drugs from sources in Washington and supplied both the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations and other reservations and communities in Montana. Longfox is one of 27 individuals, along with her mother, Frederica Lefthand, and her uncle, Wendell Lefthand, convicted in the investigation.

The government characterized Longfox as mid-level dealer who had an integral role in the conspiracy. Longfox sold in quarter pound to pound quantities, and she admitted to carrying a 9mm handgun for protection. Longfox sold drugs from Spear Siding and on the Rocky Boy’s and Fort Belknap reservations in northcentral Montana. Longfox distributed meth and cocaine she got from her mother along with drugs she obtained directly from co-defendant Carlos Arciga-Galvan, who is a fugitive. In one of her writings, Longfox said, “Call papi for me plez? I need at least a QP going up north for the powwow.” A QP is known to the government as a “quarter pound.” In a text message to Longfox, Frederica Lefthand praised her daughter’s work as drug dealer saying, “And you are doing a GREAT job Queen of the North.”

One cooperator described how Longfox “picked up the reins” when her uncle, Wendell Lefthand, went to jail and that she was “running the show” on Fort Belknap. Another cooperator described that Longfox ran the operation on Rocky Boy’s and in Hays, on the Fort Belknap, for Frederica Lefthand. Frederica Lefthand was sentenced to 24 years in prison, while Wendell Lefthand was sentenced to 15 years in prison for their convictions in the case.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI conducted the investigation.

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.

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MISSOULA — A federal judge today sentenced an Alberton man to eight years and seven months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a drug trafficking scheme in which he worked with sources in Mexico to bring meth to Montana and to launder the proceeds, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Waylon Jack Greco, 44, pleaded guilty in July to possession with intent to distribute meth.

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

The government alleged in court documents that Greco was close to a source of supply in Mexico and worked to transport the drugs from the Mexican border to Montana. Greco’s drug distribution involved pounds of meth over several months, and he was a known drug distributor from about April 2023 through September 2023. Greco also worked with co-conspirators to launder drug proceeds back to Mexico, including devising a scheme to create business fronts through which to launder the money and by suggesting he marry a Mexican woman to whom he could legally make international transfers. Members of the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office executed a state search warrant on Greco’s vehicle in May 2023 and located approximately 13 grams of meth, $1,001 in U.S. currency and three cell phones.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration 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.

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BILLINGS — A Billings woman accused of dealing fentanyl in the community and to brandishing a firearm admitted to charges on Nov. 22, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Renee Esperanza Arambula, 27, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and to brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Arambula 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 seven years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm crime.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Feb. 26, 2025. Arambula was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that in early 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating Arambula for suspected drug trafficking. Agents determined that between May 2020 and January 2023, Arambula deposited more than $230,000 in cash into the bank and received thousands of dollars more through electronic payment but was making only a small fraction of the money through formal employment, with much of the money being proceeds from drug trafficking. The investigation further determined that Arambula was trafficking fentanyl and other drugs in the Billings community, with individuals admitting to purchasing fentanyl from her up to early 2023. During this time, Arambula also possessed and brandished a firearm in furtherance of her drug trafficking activities.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in the community as part of a group that was supplied by Washington sources was sentenced today to seven years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Robert Allen Clark, 44, pleaded guilty in July to possession with intent to distribute meth.

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

The government alleged in court documents that Clark was one of seven defendants involved in a multi-state drug trafficking organization that operated from a residence on Sugar Avenue in Billings. A group from Washington brought pounds of meth into Montana and used these defendants to distribute meth and fentanyl. In 2023, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this organization, and sources reported that Clark sold multi-ounce quantities to other dealers. Law enforcement seized methamphetamine sold by Clark. The government also identified Clark as a mid-level dealer who received meth from a co-defendant and then distributed to lower-level dealers. Clark has been selling meth for nearly 20 years, has three prior drug convictions dating to 2005, and was on parole for assault on a peace officer.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration 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.

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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 Nov. 19 was:

Crystal Joy Blakely, 37, of Billings, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Blakely faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and at least three years of supervised release. Blakely was detained pending further proceedings. The Billings Police Department, FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-128.

Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Nov. 18 was:

Patricia Marie Holcomb, 56, of Kalispell, on charges of possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Holcomb faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Holcomb was released pending further proceedings. The Northwest Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-62.

Thomas Joseph Spotted Eagle, 41, of Pablo, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute meth and fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Spotted Eagle faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Spotted Eagle was detained pending further proceedings. The Northwest Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-48.

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

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BILLINGS — A Billings construction company owner accused of not paying federal income tax on his business and directing his bookkeeper to improperly categorize personal expenses as business expenses admitted to a tax crime today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Clay Wayland Buckmiller, 60, appeared for arraignment on and pleaded guilty to an information charging him with tax evasion. Buckmiller 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. Buckmiller was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that Buckmiller owns and runs a company he started in 2000 called Moonlight Construction. Buckmiller earned money through the company but has not filed taxes since 2009 for the 2007 tax year. Buckmiller knew of the requirement to file taxes. The IRS repeatedly notified him of his overdue taxes, including a notice he received in 2018 that he owed more than $88,000 in unpaid taxes—the balance of which the IRS has since written off because expired collection statutes.

In 2020, Moonlight earned taxable income, and Buckmiller’s bookkeeper notified him that he would be required to pay federal income tax. Buckmiller willfully made affirmative attempts during and after 2020 to evade paying taxes for that year:

• Buckmiller deposited customer checks into Moonlight’s bank account, but immediately withdrew large sums of cash, which he stored in a safe in his residence. Despite requests by his bookkeeper, Buckmiller refused to provide information about the source and use of these funds.
• Buckmiller instructed the bookkeeper to improperly categorize the withdrawals as business expenses, when in fact they were personal.
• Buckmiller deleted emails containing business-related invoices and instructed his bookkeeper to improperly categorize personal expenses as business expenses.
• Buckmiller lied to the bookkeeper by stating that the deposits he withdrew as cash were used to pay business vendors, when in reality, he used the money on personal expenses, including to buy a house in his girlfriend’s name.

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

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MISSOULA — A Washington man who was convicted of trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl on the Flathead Indian Reservation after law enforcement found more than 5,000 fentanyl pills and meth in his car was sentenced today to seven years in prison, to be followed by seven years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Michael Davis Bryant, 48, of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty in July to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

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

The government alleged in court documents that the Northwest Drug Task Force was investigating meth and fentanyl distribution on the Flathead Reservation in 2021 and identified Bryant as a source of the drugs brought into Montana for distribution. In January 2022, agents with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted a controlled purchase in Spokane, Washington, of 1,000 fentanyl pills from Bryant. Later that month, law enforcement tracked Bryant to the Flathead Reservation. Law enforcement learned Bryant was in a house and had a large quantity of fentanyl pills he was trying to sell. Bryant fled when law enforcement attempted to contact him. Officers searched Bryan’s car and located 5,636 fentanyl pills, a large quantity of meth and several scales. Bryant was arrested the next day on an outstanding federal warrant. He had a key to his vehicle on a lanyard around his neck.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Northwest Drug Task Force, Flathead Tribal Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, BIA and 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.

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BILLINGS — U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich today announced grant funding of almost $2 million to help fight school violence for two Montana educational entities from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs.

The funding, totaling $1,999,992, is from the OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Fiscal Year 24 STOP School Violence Program Competitive Solicitation. The project period is from Oct. 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2027.

The Western Montana Professional Learning Collaborative in Lolo was awarded $1 million, while Billings Public Schools in Billings was awarded $999,992.

“The work of the Justice Department is often reactionary, as we seek to hold accountable those who violate the rule of law. But it is refreshing when we can be proactive in our work, which is why I am pleased to announce these grants. I applaud the work of the Western Montana Professional Learning Collaborative and Billings Public Schools for their focus on mental health services and crime prevention. We are unwavering in our pursuit of those who commit school violence, and these grants show we are equally committed to preventing school violence from occurring in the first place,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

The Western Montana Professional Learning Collaborative proposes the Expanding Montana Rural Student Mental Health Supports initiative, which aims to extend mental health resources to underserved rural, tribal and frontier schools in Western Montana. This project will provide comprehensive school mental health services, including trauma informed care, wellness training, curriculum and teletherapy to establish safe school environments and ensure equitable access to mental health services. The project builds on the success of Montana Cares, which currently serves more than 14,000 students and their families. Expanding care in Montana will extend those services in western regions, addressing significant inequities in school-based mental health resources, and serving an additional 13,000 students and their school community families.

Billings Public Schools (BPS) is the largest school district in Montana and serves more than 16,000 students. In the past four years, Billings has seen an increase in violent crimes, especially youth violent crimes and increased youth gang activity. Information from surveys, incident reports and Billings Police Department data demonstrate the need for support in BPS middle schools. The goal of BPS is to address the critical need for violence prevention, positive youth resiliency skill building and promotion of a positive school climate through the Culture of Care program. The Culture of Care program will use funding to hire two, full-time specialists to work directly with students in the six middle schools and a full-time program leader to coordinate training, support program implementation and promote stakeholder engagement. The program aims to reduce violence by addressing conflict before it occurs or escalates.

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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 Nov. 12 was:

Sebastian Kessamer Gilder Jr., 26, of Phoenix, Arizona, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Gilder faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Gilder was released pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted the investigation. PACER case reference.24-74.

Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Nov. 12 was:

Franklin Troy Caplette, 40, of Box Elder, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Caplette faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Caplette was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Hill County Sheriff’s Office, Rocky Boy’s Police Department and U.S. Probation Office conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-91.

Briana Noel Moore, 30, of Great Falls, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Moore faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Moore was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Probation and Parole conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-96.

Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Nov. 13 was:

Mallory Nehemiah Brown, 43, of Auburn, Washington, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Brown faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Brown was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI, Libby Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Probation and Parole conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-49.

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

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BILLINGS — A federal investigation into a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking organization that was based on the Crow Indian Reservation and distributed drugs to three other Montana Indian reservations and communities from suppliers in Washington and a Mexican cartel has resulted in federal convictions in Montana of 27 persons, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced today.

U.S. Attorney Laslovich, along with federal law enforcement partners, discussed the dismantling of the drug organization, known as Spear Siding, during a news conference in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Billings. Investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, and Bureau of Indian Affairs, the case was one of the largest federal drug trafficking probes in Montana in recent years.

According to court documents, beginning in June 2022, federal law enforcement, in a collaborative effort with local law enforcement, conducted a large-scale investigation into a drug trafficking organization that centered on two residences on the Crow Reservation, including one referred to as Spear Siding, which was a family residence for some of the top-level dealers. The Spear Siding property was a source of meth for the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations. The conspiracy also expanded to the Rocky Boy’s and Fort Belknap reservations and to the Billings and Havre communities. The investigation determined that multi-pound quantities of meth and firearms were kept on the Spear Siding property. Firearms at Spear Siding were acquired by trading drugs for guns. Proceeds from drug sales went to Washington, California and Mexico.

The Spear Siding investigation culminated in April 2023 when the DEA, FBI, BIA, with assistance from local law enforcement, arrested numerous individuals at Spear Siding in a coordinated takedown. The case led to the convictions of 27 defendants from Montana and Washington, all of whom pleaded guilty to various drug trafficking and related crimes. On Nov. 5, Geofredo James Littlebird, Jr., of Lame Deer, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and firearm crimes. Littlebird, Sayra Longfox and Emma King are pending sentencing. Two alleged co-conspirators remain fugitives.

“The Spear Siding trafficking organization moved onto the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations to exploit and prey on persons addicted to meth and fentanyl, all due to greed. While meth and fentanyl distribution impacts all of Montana, these drugs continue to disproportionately devastate Indian Country. As this Spear Siding investigation shows, Montana’s Indian reservations are not a safe haven for out-of-state traffickers who think they can move in, set up shop, and enlist local residents to peddle drugs. Shutting down this far-reaching conspiracy is possible only through the relentless commitment and cooperation of our law enforcement partners and prosecutors to bring these defendants to justice. I am proud of their work,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

“DEA will continue focusing on organizations trafficking drugs into our communities. As seen in this case, Montana is not immune to cartel activity. Criminals should know we will be relentless in our pursuit, regardless of where they are distributing this poison,” Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jon Pullen said.

“Cartel members preyed on an already vulnerable population, further fueling the drug crisis on Montana’s Indian Reservations, and employing members of the community to peddle poison to their own people,” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. “Too many lives have been lost to illicit drugs. Too many families have suffered. The FBI and our partners will not stop pursuing criminals harming our communities.”

“This investigation is a shining example of the power of unfettered cooperation between agencies when they share the common focus of eliminating controlled substances and the drug trafficking organizations distributing those substances. The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Division of Drug Enforcement (DDE) is devoted to continuing to protect our native communities, combating illegal drug usage, possession, and distribution throughout Indian Country,” said Deputy Associate Director Tom Atkinson. “The BIA is thankful for the incredible partnerships it shares with the BIA-District 5, U.S. Attorney’s Office, DEA, FBI, and other agencies that assisted with the investigation.”

“The most effective way for law enforcement to protect our communities is through cooperation and coordination. The Spear Siding investigation and subsequent arrests and convictions demonstrate the effectiveness of cooperation and coordination by law enforcement on multiple levels,” U.S. Marshal Craig J. Anderson said.

Among the top-level dealers were Wendell Lefthand and his sister and co-defendant, Frederica Lefthand, who both resided at Spear Siding, the family home. Until his arrest in June 2022 on another matter, Wendell Lefthand ran the operation with co-defendant 1, who is a fugitive. Wendell Lefthand was selling about one pound of meth per week and had a Washington source, who introduced him to co-defendant 1. When co-defendant 1 eventually moved to Spear Siding, business started booming. After Wendell Lefthand’s arrest, Frederica Lefthand took over management of the Montana operation, which the government indicated involved “pounds and pounds and pounds” of meth. Frederica Lefthand worked directly with co-defendant 1, dispensed drugs to lower-level dealers, collected debts, organized deals, and recruited others to help her sell drugs and make money. Sources reported that Spear Siding would “never run out” of meth.

The government estimated that the Spear Siding conspiracy was responsible for bringing hundreds of pounds of meth to the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations for redistribution.

Convicted Spear Siding related defendants include:

• Wendell Lefthand, of Lodge Grass: 180 months in prison
• Frederica Lefthand, of Lodge Grass: 288 months in prison
• Roderick Plentyhawk, of Billings: 300 months in prison
• Carly Joy James, of Billings: 84 months in prison
• Jeffrey Prettypaint, of Crow Agency: 60 months in prison
• Darlon Richard Lefthand, of Billings: 84 months in prison
• Keilee Shambrae Diaz, of Hardin: 12 months, one day in prison
• Zachary Douglas Bacon, of Garryowen: time served
• Morgan Luke Hugs, of Hardin: 48 months in prison
• Anthony Springfield, of Hardin: time served
• Haley James, of Billings: time served
• John Littlehead, of Billings: 48 months in prison
• Marianna Wallace, of Omak, Washington: 36 months in prison
• Yvon Lopez Flores, of Omak, Washington: 48 months in prison
• Jacklyn Littlebird, of Lame Deer: time served
• Adrienne LaForge, of Lame Deer: 24 months in prison
• Geofredo James Littlebird, of Lame Deer: pending sentencing
• Nancy Hartsock, of Billings: 72 months in prison
• Joe Simpson, of Lame Deer: 240 months in prison
• Melanie Bloodman, of Billings: time served
• Renita Redfield, of Lodge Grass: 63 months in prison
• Daniel Jiminez-Chavez, of Omak, Washington: 84 months in prison
• Sayra Longfox, of Lodge Grass: pending sentencing
• Emma King, of Lame Deer: pending sentencing
• Antonio Infante, of Brewster, Washington: 128 months in prison
• Elisha Felicia, of Wyola: 60 months in prison
• Nicole Schwalbach, of Billings: 120 months in prison

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation.

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.

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GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder woman admitted on Nov. 13 to lying on a form to buy two firearms that were later used in a double homicide, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Airian Mariah Russette, 30, pleaded guilty to false statement during a firearms transaction. Russette 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. The court set sentencing for March 19, 2025. Russette was released pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that on March 27, Russette purchased two pistols from North 40 Outfitters, a federal firearms licensee in Havre, and immediately traveled back to Box Elder, where she traded the firearms to an individual in exchange for four oxycodone pills. The individual had contacted Russette prior to the purchase by text message and asked Russette to buy the two guns. The two firearms were recovered several hours later by law enforcement after they were used in a double homicide and still in possession of the homicide suspects. During an interview, Russette admitted to lying on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Form 4473 to buy the firearms for someone other than herself, a transaction known as a straw purchase. She further admitted that she traded the firearms for the four pills. Because Russette checked “yes” on the ATF form that she was the actual buyer of the firearms, it influenced North 40 Outfitters into believing that the two pistols could be lawfully sold to Russette and caused the business to do so. The firearms were a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol.

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, 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.

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GREAT FALLS — An East Helena man who fired a gun during a robbery of a Townsend gas station was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Samuel James Collins, 34, pleaded guilty in July to possessing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that on Oct. 16, 2023, Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported armed robbery at the Town Pump gas station in Townsend. Two employees were present during the robbery and told law enforcement that a man entered wearing a hooded blanket coat, was not wearing pants or shoes, and fired a round from a pistol. The suspect demanded money, and the employees complied. The suspect left in a pickup truck with an estimated $330 in cash. Video surveillance from the business captured the incident:

Approximately 20 minutes later, Meagher County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped a truck matching the description of the truck used in the robbery. The driver was identified as Collins. During Collins’ arrest, deputies saw a pistol, cash and a shell casing inside the truck. In a search of the truck, law enforcement seized a loaded 9mm pistol, $329 in U.S. currency, a purple hooded sweatshirt, a white hat and other items. Further investigation determined that a bullet and shell casing found at the Town Pump were fired from a 9mm pistol found in the truck Collins was driving.           

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office, Meagher County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office, FBI 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.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and of illegally possessing firearms.

Edgar A. Mejia, 49, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Thursday, Nov. 7, to 26 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.

On March 22, 2024, Mejia was found guilty at trial of one count each of conspiracy to distribute heroin and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

On Oct. 10, 2022, law enforcement officers searched a 2000 Coachman recreational vehicle that belonged to Mejia. At the time of the search, Mejia was in custody in Oklahoma following his arrest for drug trafficking. Investigators in Oklahoma received information that Mejia had additional drugs and firearms hidden in his Coachman RV, and notified local authorities.

Officers located Mejia’s RV parked next to an abandoned residence in the 2300 block of Drury Avenue in Kansas City, Mo. Investigators searched the RV and found, hidden behind a wall in the kitchen, 541 grams of heroin, a Springfield Armory Hellcat 9mm semi-automatic handgun, an American Tactical AR-15-style rifle, and ammunition.

Mejia pleaded guilty to two counts of the indictment prior to trial, then went to trial on the remaining counts of the indictment. Six days prior to his trial, Mejia pleaded guilty to one count of possessing the heroin inside the RV with the intent to distribute it and one count of being a felon in possession of the firearms recovered from the RV.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Mejia has two prior state felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and prior federal felony convictions for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashleigh A. Ragner and Robert M. Smith and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Jennings. It was investigated by the Jackson County Drug Task Force; the District Attorney’s Task Force for the 13th Judicial District in Ottawa and Delaware Counties, Oklahoma; Wyandotte Nation Tribal Police Department, Wyandotte, Oklahoma; the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Project Safe Neighborhoods

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.

MISSOULA — A Lolo man accused of distributing and receiving child pornography admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Erik Robert Salazar, 29, pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography and receipt of child pornography. Salazar faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and not less than five years to life of supervised release on each charge.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. A sentencing before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen was set for March 13, 2025. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Salazar was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged that in September 2023, the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children detectives received a Cyber Tipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The report originated from Snapchat, which reported to NCMEC that a user, later identified as Salazar, had uploaded two images of child sexual abuse material on their servers in August 2023. Detectives determined that the Snapchat account belonged to Salazar and received the remaining content of his account. Detectives found that Salazar’s communications with other parties on Snapchat were replete with contact with minor females from between September 2015 and October 2023. Salazar consistently requested images and videos from minors with whom he was communicating of those minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of these minors sent Salazar such images and videos in response to his requests. Salazar used Snapchat to send some of these minors images and videos depicting other minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI 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.

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GREAT FALLS — A Heart Butte man who admitted to stabbing an employee of the Glacier Peaks Casino and Hotel while in the business was sentenced today to two years and three months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Kal William Runningcrane, 27, pleaded guilty in July to assault with a dangerous weapon.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court ordered Runningcrane to self-report when assigned to a Bureau of Prison’s facility.

The government alleged in court documents that in the early morning hours of Feb. 25, Runningcrane stabbed a Glacier Peaks employee, identified as Riverblu Boggs, with a knife while in the Browning business. Runningcrane had been drinking with family and friends to celebrate his birthday. The group was listening to live music, and Boggs was sitting alone at an adjacent table. Runningcrane and Boggs did not know each other. Without provocation, Runningcrane walked to Boggs’s table and stabbed Boggs in the neck. Boggs fought back and was able to get way from Runningcrane. Runningcrane stabbed Boggs three times, left the scene and was arrested later that night miles from Browning, off the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. An emergency medical services worker who happened to be in the casino, provided initial treatment of Boggs and rushed him to the hospital. Boggs was flown to Great Falls for life-saving treatment of wounds.

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

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GREAT FALLS — A federal judge on Nov. 6 sentenced a Havre woman to 19 months and 24 days in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for lunging at the controls of a small commercial airplane as the plane was landing, causing it to accelerate and turn on the runway, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Tracy Lynn Eagleman, aka Tracy Badmoccasin, 36, pleaded guilty in August to interfering with an aircraft in flight.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that on March 21, 2023, Eagleman was a passenger on Cape Air flight 1793, a small passenger plane that departed from Billings and was bound for Havre. On the final approach into Havre, Eagleman stood up and started yelling about the landing. The flight crew – a captain and first officer – were able to calm Eagleman down and get her back into her seat. However, just as the plane touched down, Eagleman lunged forward from her seat and hit the flight controls. Eagleman hit the throttle for one of the two engines, causing it to accelerate and prompting the plane to “yaw” or turn on the runway. At the time, the plane was traveling at approximately 80 mph. The flight crew regained control of the plane without further incident, stopped on the tarmac and taxied safely to the airport terminal. One of the passengers recorded the incident on a cellphone. While the recording failed to capture the moment, Eagleman lunged at the control deck, other passengers are heard yelling in fear that they could have been killed. In later interviews, the flight crew indicated that yawing at the speed the plane was traveling could have caused it to roll and crash.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and Hill County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

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MISSOULA — A Butte woman who admitted distributing methamphetamine after being arrested multiple times and found to be in possession of the drug, large amounts of cash and firearms was sentenced today to 10 years and one month in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Jeri Angeline Phillips, 36, pleaded guilty in July to possession with intent to distribute meth.

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

“Phillips is responsible for flooding Butte with a staggering amount of meth and routinely possessed firearms while trafficking drugs. As part of our case, she is forfeiting her cash, drugs, and guns. It’s appropriate and necessary that her freedom was forfeited, too,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

The government alleged that between October 2021 and March 2023, officers working with the Drug Enforcement Administration stopped Phillips on three separate occasions and seized a total of approximately $58,000 in cash and distribution quantities of meth. In addition, law enforcement seized a total of five firearms from Phillips’ vehicle and her residence. On one of the occasions, law enforcement observed Phillips distribute meth to a customer in Rocker. When law enforcement stopped Phillips’ vehicle, they located about 85 grams of meth, approximately $37,000 cash and a handgun in her purse and a digital scale in the trunk. A witness reported Phillips intended to use the cash to purchase approximately 17 pounds of meth in Washington. Law enforcement monitoring Phillips learned that during this period, Phillips had made multiple trips out of state to resupply her drug distribution cache. The government attributed approximately 11.8 kilograms, or nearly 25 pounds and about 94,079 doses, of meth to Phillips.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The DEA, Montana Highway Patrol and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS — A Lame Deer man accused of trafficking methamphetamine on both the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Indian reservations admitted to charges on Nov. 5, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Geofredo James Littlebird, Jr., 40, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Littlebird pleaded guilty in the midst of a jury trial that began on Nov. 4 on charges in a superseding indictment. Littlebird 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.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for March 5. Littlebird was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that in 2022, law enforcement received information that Littlebird was distributing meth. Federal agents conducted a series of controlled purchases of the drug from Littlebird and his associates. Some of the purchases occurred in Littlebird’s house and were recorded. Another purchase that involved a source who met with Littlebird’s associate occurred near Crow Agency on the Crow Indian Reservation and was recorded. On Aug. 24, 2022, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Littlebird’s house and found a scale and plastic wrap, various rounds of ammunition, three firearms, body armor, multiple cell phones and meth and paraphernalia. On Oct. 19, 2022, law enforcement executed a tribal search warrant, with assistance from federal law enforcement, on Littlebird’s house and found four firearms and two baggies of meth.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation.

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.

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GREAT FALLS — A Fort Belknap man who admitted stabbing a woman multiple times during an argument on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation was sentenced today to three years and nine months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Leon Boyd Messerly, 64, pleaded guilty in July to assault with a dangerous weapon.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that on July 13, 2023, in their home on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Messerly and the victim, identified as Jane Doe, got into a fight. Jane Doe stated that Messerly was angry at her for not protecting his son and punched her in the face. Messerly also grabbed a chef’s knife and stabbed Jane Doe multiple times in her neck, back and left arm. Messerly then went to a friend’s house and told the friend that he had stabbed Jane Doe. The friend checked on Jane Doe and drove her to the emergency room. Jane Doe was transported to a hospital in Great Falls where she underwent multiple surgeries.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and Fort Belknap Police Department conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS — A 17-year-old who admitted to murdering a man by shooting him on the Crow Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 29 years and seven months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Orrin Richard Alden III, of Crow Agency, pleaded guilty in September to an information charging him with second-degree murder and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

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

“Far too many juveniles are resorting to deadly violence, which is as alarming as it is unacceptable. Alden took another young man’s life in a brutal and shocking way. He should no longer be on our streets, which is why we argued so strenuously for a long federal prison sentence. We can’t get the victim’s life back, but we will move swiftly and aggressively against those like Alden who think violence is the answer to their problems,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

In court documents, the government alleged that on May 5, 2024, an unidentified body was recovered from the Little Big Horn River in Crow Agency. The body was later determined to be an 18-year-old male identified as John Doe. An autopsy was conducted, and two bullets were recovered.

Doe’s family last saw him alive on either April 27 or 28 as he was walking with a group of males toward the location on the Little Big Horn River where his body was recovered. Alden was identified as one of the males in the group. On the day Doe disappeared, a witness saw Doe with a black backpack that contained marijuana, a sizeable amount of methamphetamine and a large amount of cash.

The government further alleged that the group of males, including Alden and Doe, drank alcohol and smoked marijuana before walking to the river. Alden and one of the other males were overheard discussing that Doe was carrying money. Alden, one of the males, and Doe got separated from the group. When that happened, a single shot was heard. Immediately after the first shot was heard, Alden was seen with a rifle in his hand. As Doe tried to run away, he grabbed his side and said, “You shot me, you shot me, Tripp (a nickname for Alden).” A second shot was heard. Minutes later, Alden and the male who was with him joined the rest of the group. They were laughing, and the other male had Doe’s backpack and the rifle.

The group then went to Alden’s house where Alden and the male who was seen carrying the backpack and rifle removed their clothing and put it in a black bag. The male used his shirt and rubbing alcohol to clean a hatchet. Another of the males asked if he could call an ambulance for Doe. The male who was with Alden when Doe was shot told him no. Alden and the male took the rifle and black bag of clothing and stashed them in an abandoned building near Alden’s house.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation.

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HELENA — Mold Wranglers, Inc., a Kalispell-based company that provides hazardous material mitigation services, today admitted to filing false requests for payment to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs claiming an abatement of lead paint was done at Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison when it was not, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

The defendant, Mold Wranglers, Inc., appeared for arraignment on and pleaded guilty to an information charging one count of False Claim Act conspiracy, a felony. Mold Wranglers was represented by Jonathan Carpenter, owner of the company. The company faces a maximum fine of $500,000 and restitution.

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 4, 2025.

The government alleged in court documents that Mold Wranglers agreed to perform work at the Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison, which is affordable rental housing for veterans and their families at Fort Harrison. The project consisted of converting residential units for military veterans and their families. From 2018 to 2019, Mold Wranglers conducted work at Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison, including, but not limited to, painting over lead-based paint with an encapsulating paint. Because of the dangers associated with lead, federal regulations strictly regulate all lead work. All contractors must hold certifications to conduct such work, and the Environmental Protection Agency must receive notification that lead work is occurring. Mold Wranglers’ employees were not certified to conduct lead work, they failed to notify the EPA and they applied the encapsulating paint inconsistent with the paint manufacturer specifications.

Mold Wranglers submitted 11 Subcontractor Requisitions for Payment detailing that lead-based paint work was performed. Those claims, through other companies, were submitted to the VA and paid with federal funds. When doing so, Mold Wranglers and others claimed they performed an “abatement,” which was false. Indeed, the companies specifically agreed they would not perform an abatement, which requires certain specifications be met. In an email, one individual said:

“The plan is to aesthetically repair the paint and finish the homes. It’s not to remove the lead hazard and if the plan is to go down the abatement road, then it will be a significant increase to the scope of the work.”

Th companies requested and received payment of approximately $456,000 from the United States for an “abatement.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division and Office of Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, and Department of Housing and Urban Development conducted the investigation.

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HELENA – A Helena real estate agent and property manager today admitted to failing to provide lead-based paint disclosures as required to veterans residing in housing at Fort Harrison, in Helena, which resulted in the exposure of veterans and their families to significant levels of lead, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

The defendant, Melanie Ann Carlin, 54, of Clancy, appeared for arraignment on and pleaded guilty to an information charging her with one count of knowing endangerment, a felony. Carlin faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least 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 4, 2025. Carlin remained on release pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that from September 2019 until September 2021, Carlin failed to provide lead-based paint disclosures as required, placing an individual in imminent danger of death and serious bodily injury and exposing low-income veteran families and their children at Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison to significant levels of lead.

Carlin is the owner of 406 Properties, Inc, a property management service in Helena, and has more than 26 years of professional real estate experience. In 2018, Carlin agreed to provide property management services for rental units known as Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison. The rentals included multiple homes for military veterans to use as affordable housing. In May 2019, Carlin received and forwarded an email from the Montana Department of Commerce requesting information detailing any lead-based paint remediation completed on the homes because the buildings were constructed before 1978. The buildings were constructed in approximately 1895 and 1905, depending on the building.

Despite the email, in June 2019, Carlin signed two Request for Tenancy Approval Forms for the Fort Harrison rentals. Carlin selected “lead-based paint disclosures do not apply because this property was built on or after January 1, 1978” on the form. Carlin knew the selections were false and did not provide lead-based paint disclosures to veterans seeking residence at Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison.

In September 2019, Carlin attended a meeting discussing that lead-based paint was peeling at Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison. The meeting agenda identified “lead-based paint peeling in the units – doors won’t shut, paint peels when attempt to shut door” and veterans have identified “chipped paint” in the units. At this point, Carlin knew the buildings were built prior to 1978, and she knew deteriorating lead-based paint was located inside the buildings.

Despite Carlin’s knowledge and extensive real estate experience, she continued to sign forms indicating that the units were free of lead-based paint, or they were built after 1978, none of which was true. In addition, Carlin continued in failing to provide lead-based paint disclosures to the veterans and their families residing in the units.

The government further alleged that in December 2020, Carlin failed to provide a lead-based paint disclosure to a veteran of Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison. In September 2021, an 18-month-old child in the veteran’s home was found eating paint chips inside the unit. Subsequent medical testing confirmed the child had elevated blood lead levels exceeding levels considered to be “very high” and required treatment for lead poisoning. Lead poisoning can have catastrophic effects on children and their development, and Congress requires a warning about the effects of lead poisoning be given when individuals lease homes built prior to 1978.

When interviewed by federal agents, Carlin agreed that she was familiar with the requirement to provide lead disclosures and confirmed that no lead disclosures were provided to veterans living in units at Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison. A review of the rental units confirmed lead was present in almost every unit, including the building where the 18-month-old child was present. A subsequent property management company corrected the omission by making lead disclosures to the veterans.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division and Office of Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, and Department of Housing and Urban Development conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS — United States Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced today that the Justice Department will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Blaine County for the Nov. 5 general election.

The Justice Department enforces federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot. The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country.

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division will coordinate the effort. Monitors will include Justice Department personnel, who will contact state and local election officials as needed throughout Election Day.

The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and Civil Rights Acts. The division’s Disability Rights Section enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that persons with disabilities have a full and equal opportunity to vote. The division’s Criminal Section enforces federal criminal statutes that prohibit voter intimidation and voter suppression based on race, color, national origin or religion.

On Election Day, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available all day to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws. Reports may be made through the department’s website www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-253-3931. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will also be available to receive complaints on Election Day at 406-542-8851.

Individuals with questions or complaints related to the ADA may call the department’s toll-free ADA information hotline at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint through a link on the department’s ADA website at www.ada.gov.

Complaints related to any disruptions at a polling place should always be reported to local election officials (including officials based in the polling place). Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911. These complaints should also be reported to the department after local authorities have been contacted.

More information about voting and elections, including guidance documents and other resources, is available at www.justice.gov/voting. Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

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MISSOULA — A former employee at an assisted living facility in Kalispell today admitted allegations that she tampered with packaging and took pain medications intended for patients, U.S Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Nicole Elice Anderson, 39, of Post Falls, Idaho, pleaded guilty to unlawfully obtaining controlled substances as charged in an indictment. Anderson faces a maximum of four 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 March 12, 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. Anderson was released  pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that from approximately February 2023 to March 2023, Anderson obtained oxycodone and hydrocodone by fraud and deception. In March 2023, Drug Enforcement Administration agents were alerted to a drug diversion at Prestige Assisted Living in Kalispell in which 120 hydrocodone tablets for a patient had been substituted with Tylenol. Seven medication cards had evidence of tampering. Prestige staff identified Anderson as one of two employees who had access to the drugs when they were taken. Staff also discovered a tampered oxycodone blister pack. Management interviewed Anderson and the other employee, and both submitted to drug tests. Anderson quit before the results came back. Anderson’s test was positive for oxycodone. The other employee was negative for the same drug.

The investigation determined that Anderson was prescribed a significant amount of hydrocodone, but not oxycodone, between February 2021 and March 2023 from seven different providers. In addition, witnesses described Anderson checking out medications for patients who did not receive the drugs. Anderson admitted to multiple coworkers that she was prescribed hydrocodone for back pain, was addicted to the drug and routinely ran out of her prescription. Anderson asked several staff members for pain medications. Anderson later started working at an assisted living facility in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. In June 2023, the Coeur d’Alene Police Department responded to a reported theft of hydrocodone from the facility. Management found multiple medication packs had been tampered with and that hydrocodone and hydromorphone pills had been replaced with Tylenol and anti-anxiety medication.

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

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MISSOULA — A Washington man who conspired to hunt and kill bald and golden eagles and hawks on the Flathead Indian Reservation to sell on the black market was sentenced today to three years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $777,250 restitution, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Travis John Branson, 49, of Cusick, Washington, and formerly of the Flathead Reservation, pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy, two counts of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles and violation of the Lacey Act, which prohibits interstate trade in wildlife that has been taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of federal or state law. The Lacey Act also prohibits any person from making or submitting any false record, account, label for or identification of wildlife that has been or was intended to be transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The court ordered Branson to self-report to the Bureau of Prisons.

“The bald eagle, adopted as America’s national symbol in 1782, represents our country’s core ideals of freedom, strength, and justice. Once on the brink of extinction, eagles recovered only because of conservation efforts by the American people and federal laws protecting them. None of that mattered to Travis Branson. Instead, Branson went on self-described ‘killing sprees’ for thousands of eagles and hawks, butchered them, and sold the parts and feathers for profit on the black market. He knew he was committing felonies and even joked his cost to kill them was the price of a bullet. But his conduct was no laughing matter. With today’s sentence, the cost to Branson was more than a bunch of bullets – he forfeited the very freedom the bald eagle symbolizes,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.  

“The unlawful killing of these majestic birds violates federal law and is a profound offense against our nation's cherished natural heritage,” said Edward Grace, Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. “Travis Branson's blatant disregard for the law and the sanctity of these protected species highlights the urgent need for stringent enforcement and greater public awareness regarding wildlife trafficking. His actions are particularly egregious, considering the significant number of bald and golden eagles he killed for personal profit, and such behavior will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to protect America's wildlife and hold accountable all who are engaged in these illicit activities.”

“We are going to feel the impacts of the Flathead Reservation’s raptor loss for years to come,” said Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Chairman Mike Dolson. “We hope this helps put a stop to illegal poaching on our homelands and gives these birds a chance to recover. Eagles are not only a treasured and important part of the Reservation’s ecosystem, but they also have a profound place in CSKT cultural and spiritual practices.”

In court documents, the government alleged that from about January 2015 until about March 2021, Branson and others hunted and killed eagles on the Flathead Reservation. Branson then sold the eagles on the black market across the United States and elsewhere. Brandon traveled from Washington to the Flathead Reservation, where he met co-defendant, Simon Paul. Branson and Paul would then shoot, transport and ship bald and golden eagles for future black-market sales. Co-defendant Paul remains a fugitive.

The government sought restitution values of $5,000 per eagle and $1,750 per hawk.

The government estimated that from 2009 until 2021, Branson made between $180,000 and $360,000 by selling eagles feathers and parts for profit on the black market.

The government’s investigation showed that Branson and others killed approximately 3,600 birds during the conspiracy. At least 118 eagles and 107 hawks killed were directly traceable to Branson and documented through his own text messages. Branson had taken up to nine eagles at a time. The photograph below shows nine sets of feathers, with one set stacked on top of the other in the upper left corner.

Law enforcement also recovered text messages from Branson stating he was specifically looking to shoot a baby eagle.

Not only did Branson kill eagles, but he also butchered them into pieces to sell. On March 13, 2021, Branson shot and killed a golden eagle near Polson. Law enforcement stopped Branson and recovered from Branson’s vehicle the feet and feathers of the golden eagle and later recovered the remainder of the carcass in a field. The claws are identified here:

Branson knew killing and selling eagles was illegal and that he did not have a permit for any of the activities. When negotiating a purchase price for eagle feathers with a potential buyer, Branson said:

“I don’t get em for free though ..out hear committing felonies”

Branson told another potential buyer he would obtain other eagle tails by “[g]oing on a killing spree.”

Further, Branson acknowledged that international shipping was illegal:

“International is still illegal ..I just get em for 99 cents ..price of a bullet..lol”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Fish and Game Department conducted the investigation.

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GREAT FALLS — A Browning man accused of not registering as a sex offender as required and attempting to flee law enforcement by leading officers on a high-speed chase admitted to charges this week, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Austin Kade Goings, 27, pleaded guilty on Oct. 28 to failure to register as a sex offender, a felony, and to attempting to elude a peace officer, a misdemeanor. Goings faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years of supervised release on the failure to register charge, and a maximum of one year in prison, a $2,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the attempting to elude 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 Feb. 26, 2025. Goings was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged Goings was on federal supervised release following his conviction by a guilty plea to sexual abuse of a minor. In April 2021, Goings was sentenced to 21 months of custody, followed by five years of supervised release. Goings was last released from federal custody following a revocation in early January 2024. Upon his release, Goings failed to update his sex offender registration as required by Montana state law and a warrant was issued for his arrest for violations of supervised release.

On July 25, an undercover law enforcement officer observed Goings driving a vehicle on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Knowing of Goings’ federal arrest warrant, the officer notified other nearby law enforcement. Officers with Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and Glacier County Sheriff’s Office attempted to initiate a traffic stop of Goings and activated their emergency lights. Goings drove through a stop sign without stopping and reached 80 mph in a 25-mph zone. The pursuit reached 100 mph in a 65-mph zone, with Goings traveling at 100 mph through the Starr School community. Goings was observed swerving and driving down the center lane, and he approached another vehicle head on, forcing the vehicle into a ditch. Law enforcement called the Border Patrol for assistance. Goings led officers on a 45-mile pursuit that stopped just short of the border. There were three other occupants in the vehicle at the time of the stop, including two persons who were minors. Officers arrested Goings on his federal warrant.

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

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MISSOULA — A federal judge today sentenced a Belgrade man to two years and nine months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking investigation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Isaac James Cardona, 45, pleaded guilty in June to prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that in November 2023, agents with the Missouri River Drug Task Force were conducting surveillance in Belgrade in an area known for drug trafficking. Law enforcement stopped Cardona, who had an outstanding state warrant. Cardona was found to be in possession of a loaded gun, two loaded magazines with extra ammunition for the gun, methamphetamine, a digital scale and 49 fentanyl pills. Cardona previously was convicted of a federal methamphetamine distribution crime and prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

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

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GREAT FALLS — An East Helena man who trafficked thousands of fentanyl pills and pounds of methamphetamine while also possessing firearms was sentenced on Oct. 29 to 11 years and four months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Thomas Anthony Conley, 37, pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute meth and fentanyl.

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

“Thousands of fentanyl pills, pounds and pounds of meth, and multiple guns. A majority of the cases we prosecute include those elements, and I’m pleased to say virtually all of our cases result in federal prison sentences. This case is no different, and we will continue to aggressively prosecute dangerous drug traffickers with the goal that they have the same fate as Conley,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

In court documents, the government alleged that Conley possessed multiple firearms and was responsible for importing more than 20,000 fentanyl pills and dozens of pounds of meth into the state. In March and April 2023, law enforcement learned from sources that Conley was supplying meth and fentanyl in the Helena area. The investigation led to search warrants for Conley’s home and vehicles. Officers located several firearms and ammunition in one of his vehicles along with more than 17,000 fentanyl pills. Conley admitted he had worked with others to traffic large quantities of fentanyl pills and several dozen pounds of meth into Montana in the preceding months.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Missouri River Drug Task Force, Southwest Drug Task Force, Montana Highway Patrol 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.

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BILLINGS — A federal judge yesterday sentenced a Billings woman to eight years and nine months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for her role in methamphetamine trafficking on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Alisha Gail Small, 42, pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute meth.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that in August 2023, Small and others were in a car stopped outside of Hardin. Law enforcement found 7 grams of meth in Small’s purse and multiple firearms in the car. Law enforcement learned that Small was involved in meth trafficking. In December 2023, Small was arrested on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation after a high-speed chase with law enforcement. Officers found approximately 60 grams of meth in her car and another gun. A search of Small’s cell phone found it contained evidence of drug trafficking.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Montana Highway Patrol conducted the investigation.

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MISSOULA — A federal jury on Monday convicted a Belgrade man of a firearms crime after he was accused of illegally possessing two handguns and ammunition while he was the subject of a court restraining order, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

After a one-day trial that began on Oct. 28, the jury found the defendant, Jordan Charles Kirsch, 34, guilty of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Kirsch faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for March 12, 2025. Kirsch was detained pending further proceedings.

“Firearms involved in domestic disputes often lead to tragic results. Here, Kirsch was under a court order of protection restraining him from any violence against the petitioner, and yet he illegally possessed two guns in violation of federal law. I am pleased the jury agreed with us and convicted him, and I am grateful to our prosecution team and law enforcement partners for their work to protect the safety of our fellow Montanans,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that on Dec. 19, 2023, a state district court judge in Gallatin County conducted a hearing and issued a final Order of Protection for 10 years against Kirsch. The court’s order found that the petitioner was in danger of harm, restrained Kirsch from committing or threatening to commit any acts of violence to the petitioner and ordered Kirsch not to threaten, harass, abuse, follow, stalk, annoy or disturb the petitioner.

In April 2024, a court order was issued for Kirsch to be removed from a Belgrade residence and for possession of the residence to be delivered to the petitioner. A sheriff’s office detective conducting surveillance observed Kirsch exit the residence with a black semi-automatic handgun and fire it 10 to 20 times toward a berm near the property. On May 2, 2024, Kirsch was arrested and evicted from the property. A search warrant was executed on the property, and law enforcement found two firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in various calibers.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI, Missouri River Drug Task Force and Gallatin 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.

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