District of Montana

GREAT FALLS — A Helena man who admitted to a methamphetamine trafficking crime after law enforcement intercepted a package containing approximately three pounds of the drug was sentenced on Tuesday to four years and nine months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Bret Russell Hamlin, 54, pleaded guilty in January to attempted possession with intent to distribute meth.

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

The government alleged in court documents that in August 2021, a postal inspector intercepted a suspicious package that was mailed from Fresno, California, to an address in Helena. After obtaining a warrant to search the package, investigators located approximately three pounds of meth inside. The package was addressed to Hamlin. Law enforcement officers served a search warrant on Hamlin’s residence and found additional quantities of meth, drug paraphernalia, digital scales, plastic baggies, more than $2,000 in cash and a pistol. The government alleged that Hamlin received meth in the mail from an individual in California for distribution to others in the Helena area.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes prosecuted the case. The Missouri River Drug Task Force, U.S. Postal Service 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.

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GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls woman who admitted to a drug trafficking crime after law enforcement found fentanyl and methamphetamine in a vehicle she was driving was sentenced today to three years and two months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Courtney Price, 28, pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on Feb. 8, 2023, law enforcement officers made a traffic stop of a vehicle Price was driving. A state search warrant was executed later on the vehicle, and law enforcement located fentanyl, meth and a firearm. Price admitted in an interview she knew there was fentanyl in the vehicle at the time of the traffic stop and that she was being paid in fentanyl to drive her passengers from Tacoma, Washington, to Great Falls.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations 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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GREAT FALLS — A Browning woman who admitted assaulting another woman during an argument, causing the victim serious injuries, was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Thomasine Tachelle Wahl Salway, 31, pleaded guilty in January to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that on Jan. 31, 2023 at a Browning residence, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Salway struck the victim, identified as Jane Doe, while arguing with Doe for Doe to give her a ride to another house in Browning. Doe told Salway she would take her later but not right then. Salway became upset and began punching Doe in the face. Alcohol was a factor in the assault. Doe initially was treated for a deep facial laceration at the Browning Indian Health Service, then was transferred to Benefis in Great Falls for further treatment. The laceration was the result of a sharp edge object, but a witness did not know what Salway used to strike Doe.

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

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GREAT FALLS — A man accused of firing a pistol at two women in a housing area on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation admitted to an assault charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Gilbert Raymond Martinez, 32, of Fort Belknap and North Dakota, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Martinez 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 Sept. 19. Martinez was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged on May 17, 2021, Martinez fired a 9mm pistol at two women in the Newtown Housing area of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. The second woman told the responding officer that if she had not moved out of the way, the bullet would have hit her.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI, Fort Belknap Police Department and Blaine County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

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MISSOULA — A Butte man identified as a major drug supplier in an investigation was sentenced today to seven years and three months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, after he admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in the community, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Juan Jose Romero, 39, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth, in December 2023.

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

In court documents the government allege that Romero was identified as a major drug supplier in Butte, and that a source told law enforcement about having purchased heroin from Romero while Romero was in the Butte Pre-Release Center. Agents contacted Romero at his apartment after they learned he had absconded from felony supervision. In a search of his residence, agents located a loaded .22 magazine, two cell phones and drug paraphernalia. In December 2022, law enforcement in Butte conducted a traffic stop on Romero and located 29 grams of meth, two firearms, drug paraphernalia and 14 suspected fentanyl pills in the vehicle. Romero admitted he was selling meth.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Clark prosecuted the case. The Southwest Montana Drug Task Force, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and FBI 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.

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HELENA  — A Utah man who admitted embezzling approximately $700,000 from a Montana company was sentenced today to 21 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $700,000 restitution, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Thomas Lynn Syddall, 50, of American Fork, Utah, who worked for a company owned by Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., pleaded guilty in October 2023 to wire fraud and to money laundering-concealment as charged in an indictment.

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

“For more than a year, Syddall stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from his employer through a calculated scheme using fictitious purchasing orders and invoices. Syddall’s conduct violated the trust of his employer for his own personal enrichment, which now makes him a federal felon. Our office, working with our law enforcement partners, will remain committed to holding white collar criminals accountable,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

“IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) enforces the nation’s tax laws, but we also assist our federal law enforcement partners in these types of cases by following the money,” said Andy Tsui, Special Agent in Charge, Denver Field Office. “Our special agent’s ability to unravel embezzlement and money laundering schemes is vital to these types of investigations, and we will continue to work with our partners to hold criminals accountable for their actions.”

In court documents, the government alleged that Syddall was a salesman for Information Technology Corporation, which was owned by Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co. From about March 2020 to about August 2021 in Helena, Syddall embezzled money through multiple means, including creating bogus purchase orders and invoices, stealing inventory and directing payments to fictitious companies and unauthorized vendors. Syddall then sold the inventory, none of which was authorized, on eBay and KSL Classifieds. When questioned by other employees about the discrepancies in orders and payments, Syddall sent lulling emails attempting to cover up and prolong the fraud. In addition, Syddall concealed financial transactions by laundering proceeds from the wire fraud into third-party accounts. Syddall then directed the transfer of the money into accounts over which he had control. The government identified approximately $700,000 in restitution.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case. The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS — In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, for the District of Montana, recognizes the public service and sacrifice of federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed from Sunday, May 12, through Saturday, May 18.

“This week, we pay special tribute to the men and women in law enforcement who selflessly risk their lives every day to protect us. Far too many have sacrificed their lives to make our communities safer, and we honor their legacies and bravery by reaffirming our commitment to every law enforcement officer making our communities safer. On behalf of all of us in the United States Attorney’s Office, I extend my heartfelt appreciation for all they do every day,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), the names of 282 officers killed in the line of duty were added this year to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. These 282 officers include 118 officers who were killed during 2023. An additional 164 officers died in years prior to 2023. Many of their stories of sacrifice had been lost until now. Currently, there are 24,067 names, dating back to the first known death in 1786, engraved on the memorial.

The names of the fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Monday, May 13, during the 36th Annual Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 p.m. ET. Those who wish to view the vigil live online can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://youtu.be/_AJEOg_3npQ. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website at https://nleomf.org/

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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 Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on May 7 was:

David Michael Rosebud Mathison, 48, of Poplar, on charges of wire fraud. If convicted of the most serious crime, Mathison faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Mathison was released pending further proceedings. The FBI conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-28.

David Victor Fast Horse, 35, of Billings, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Fast Horse faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release on the drug charge and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the crime of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Fast Horse was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive, Rocky Boy’s Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-42.

Jamison Gray Devine, 35, of Billings and Helena, on charges of prohibited person in possession of ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Devine faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Devine was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Probation and Parole conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-8.

Richard William Karp, 54, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Karp faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Karp was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Probation and Parole conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-9.

Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on May 8 was:

Shane Michael Kardash, 33, of Livingston, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Kardash faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Kardash was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Park County Sheriff’s Office, Livingston Police Department and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-7.

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 Lame Deer man who admitted sexually abusing a minor and assaulting his partner on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in two separate cases was sentenced on Wednesday to a total of three years and one day in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

David Benjamin Wick, Sr., 44, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to sexual abuse of a minor and in January, he pleaded guilty to assault resulting in substantial injury to a spouse, dating or intimate partner.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court sentenced Wick to two years in prison on the charge of sexual abuse of a minor and to one year and a day on the assault charge, to run consecutive to the sexual abuse sentence.

In court documents, the government alleged that in 2019, Wick, then 39, had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. Wick and the girl had connected through Facebook, and Wick invited her to his trailer to drink alcohol. Wick was charged federally sexual abuse of a minor and released on conditions. In January 2023, Wick assaulted his partner after becoming upset and accusing her of cheating on him. Wick kicked his partner and repeatedly struck her in the face and head while calling her names. The victim was treated for significant trauma.

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

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BILLINGS — A Washington woman who admitted to working as a translator and helping a co-defendant sell meth in a large trafficking scheme based on the Crow Indian Reservation was sentenced today to three years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Mariana Tyler Wallace, 23, of Okanogan, Washington, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that federal law enforcement, in a collaborative effort with local and tribal law enforcement, engaged in a large-scale, multiple-state, narcotics trafficking investigation centered on multiple properties on the Crow Indian Reservation. The properties, including one referred to as Spear Siding, were a source of supply of methamphetamine for both Crow and the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservations. Wallace is one of the individuals affiliated with that investigation.

The investigation determined that Wallace and co-conspirator 1 were involved in selling meth and fentanyl from a property known as the Bloodman residence, which was near the Spear Siding property. Co-conspirators from Washington lived at the Bloodman house to distribute and protect the meth. These co-conspirators spoke Spanish and required others to translate to communicate with customers. Wallace came to Montana in February/March 2023 and worked as a translator for co-conspirator 1 to sell meth to multiple individuals who visited the residence. Wallace also sold meth. Wallace was considered to be in the lower to mid-level of the conspiracy.

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

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BILLILNGS — A man accused of kicking another man with steel-toe boots on the Crow Indian Reservation admitted to an assault charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Jordale Thomas Redwolf, 36, a transient, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Redwolf 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. Redwolf was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that on Dec. 8, 2023, Redwolf and the victim, identified as John Doe, were drinking alcohol at a house in Wyola, on the Crow Indian Reservation. Doe reported that for no apparent reason, Redwolf repeatedly punched him in the face. When Doe fell to the floor, Redwolf kicked him in the face and torso with boots. Doe was transported to the Crow Indian Health Service Hospital for treatment of injuries. In an interview the next day, Redwolf admitted he beat up Doe because both were drunk, and Doe was “mouthing off” because Redwolf had just been released from prison. Redwolf kicked Doe with his prison-issued boots. Law enforcement seized steel-toe boots that had blood on them from Redwolf’s home.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS — A Lodge Grass woman accused of trafficking methamphetamine as part of large-scale, multi-state conspiracy that was based on the Crow Indian Reservation admitted to a drug crime on Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

Sayra Longfox, 26, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth. Longfox faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release.

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 Aug. 29. Longfox was released pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that in a collaborative effort with local and tribal law enforcement, federal law enforcement conducted a large-scale, multi-state narcotics trafficking investigation centered on multiple properties on the Crow Indian Reservation. The properties, including one referred to as Spear Siding, were a source of supply for both the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations. Longfox is one of the individuals affiliated with the investigation.

The government further alleged that several co-conspirators identified Longfox as selling meth on the Northern Cheyenne, Crow, Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy’s Indian reservations. After her arrest, Longfox told investigators that family members asked her to sell drugs beginning in the summer of 2022 and that she sold from her home at Spear Siding and on the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy’s reservations. She admitted to getting meth and cocaine from a codefendant, who obtained it from the Washington source of supply, and to obtaining meth and cocaine from the Washington source. Longfox also admitted to carrying a 9mm handgun for protection.

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

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GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder man was sentenced today to six years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for sexually abusing a teenage girl he lured through social media to his isolated home on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Jonathan Ray Gonsalez, 40, pleaded guilty in January to sexual abuse.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that on Jan. 3, 2023, Gonsalez initiated contact with the victim, a 16-year-old identified as Jane Doe, though Facebook Messenger and ultimately lured the victim to his home through comments. Jane Doe arrived at Gonsalez’s residence, which was isolated, around 10 p.m. A short time later, Jane Doe got scared and wanted to leave, but the temperature was below freezing. Jane Doe asked Gonsalez to have someone pick her up and fell asleep while waiting for the ride. Jane Doe awoke to Gonsalez sexually abusing her. After he was done, Jane Doe left the residence and called 911 for help. A Rocky Boy’s Police Department officer found Jane Doe and picked her up on the road near Gonsalez’s residence.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda L. Myers and Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the case. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Police Department conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS — A Billings woman accused of carjacking a vehicle while armed admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Talena Florence Boyiddle, 20, pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging her with carjacking and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Boyiddle faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the carjacking crime and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the firearm charge.

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. Boyiddle was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that on Jan. 23, 2023, the victim, identified as John Doe 1 reported to the Billings Police Department that he had been carjacked. The victim told law enforcement that he had met a woman he knew as “Nicole” online and that at 1 a.m. on Jan. 23, 2023, she arranged for him to pick her up. When the victim arrived, the woman got into the front seat and two unknown males got into the back seat. The three individuals instructed the victim to drive to an alley behind a laundromat. There, the woman pulled out a Glock pistol, racked it twice and pointed it at John Doe 1. All three individuals made statements that they intended to rob the victim. The victim got out of the car and ran away, and the three individuals took his car, a 2003 Honda Civic. An officer found the car with switched plates later the same day and had it towed. A few days after the car was returned to the victim, it was stolen again. In February 2023, police found Boyiddle in the victim’s car and in possession of a Glock 9mm handgun. Investigators determined through a Facebook photo that “Nicole” was Boyiddle. The government further alleged that Boyiddle and her associates were able to steal the car a second time by using keys they had obtained from the carjacking.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich 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.

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BILLINGS — A Lodge Grass man who admitted running a large-scale, multi-state methamphetamine trafficking organization from his home on the Crow Indian Reservation and beating a woman with a weapon was sentenced today to 15 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Wendell Monroe Lefthand, 55, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Lefthand also pleaded guilty in a separate case to assault of a spouse resulting in substantial bodily injury and assault with a dangerous weapon.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court sentenced Lefthand to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release for the drug conviction and to four years in prison and three years of supervised release for the assault convictions, with the sentences to run concurrent to each other.

In the drug trafficking case, the government alleged that beginning in June 2022, federal law enforcement, in a collaborative effort with local and tribal law enforcement, conducted a large-scale investigation centered on multiple properties on the Crow Indian Reservation. The properties, including one referred to as Spear Siding, were a source of supply of meth for both the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations and elsewhere. Lefthand was one of the major players affiliated with the investigation, and Spear Siding was his family residence.

The government further alleged that of 26 defendants related to the investigation, Lefthand is at the top portion of the conspiracy, along with his sister and co-defendant, Frederica Lefthand. Until his arrest in June 2022 on another matter, Lefthand was the person running the operation with an individual, identified as co-defendant 1, and supplied a significant portion of the meth sold on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations and in neighboring cities and towns. Although incarcerated for most of the investigation, Lefthand had been operating the drug trafficking ring from Spear Siding long before his arrest and played a significant role even after his arrest. Lefthand had a previous Washington source, who introduced him to co-defendant 1. When co-defendant 1 moved onto the Spear Siding property, business started booming. In addition, the government alleged that Lefthand was selling one pound of meth per week and possessed firearms. Investigators learned there were usually 30 to 50 firearms on the Spear Siding property and that Lefthand acquired them by trading drugs for guns. Frederica Lefthand was sentenced to 24 years in federal prison for her conviction in the case.

In the assault case, the government alleged that on April 4, 2021, Lefthand struck the victim, identified as Jane Doe, with an iron bar after a night of consuming alcohol on property outside of Lodge Grass, on the Crow Reservation. Jane Doe’s adult daughter and two minor children witnessed the assault, and all four ran from the property and hid in a ditch before flagging down a ride. Jane Doe was treated for injuries a few days later.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lori Harper Suek and Kelsey Hendricks prosecuted the assault case. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and FBI conducted the investigation.

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WASHINGTON – The Justice Department joins its partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in recognizing May 5 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day. 

In recognition of MMIP Awareness Day, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland highlighted ongoing efforts to tackle the MMIP and human trafficking crises in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and other pressing public safety challenges, like the fentanyl crisis, in Tribal communities.

“There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In carrying out our work, we seek to honor those who are still missing, those who were stolen from their communities, and their loved ones who are left with unimaginable pain. Tribal communities deserve safety, and they deserve justice. This day challenges all of us at the Justice Department to double down on our efforts, and to be true partners with Tribal communities as we seek to end this crisis.”

“On Sunday, May 5, we recognize and honor American Indian and Alaska Native persons who have gone missing or have been murdered and renew our commitment to address this crisis. Every person deserves to feel safe in their home and community. The loss of even one Indigenous man, woman or child through disappearance or murder is unacceptable, and we acknowledge the pain and suffering these losses cause families and communities,” said U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, for the District of Montana. “We also acknowledge that Indigenous women and children face disproportionally higher rates of violence and sexual abuse. And we reaffirm our commitment to do everything we can to find the missing, hold killers accountable and seek justice for the missing or murdered by continuing to work with all our federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement partners. And while we are not perfect, we are making progress. We meet regularly with tribal leadership for the Blackfeet, Rocky Boy’s, Fort Belknap, Fort Peck, Crow, Northern Cheyenne, and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes about the issues they’re facing. We are determined to do the hard work of reducing violence and improving public safety for all Indigenous persons.”

“The FBI remains unwavering in our pledge to work with our law enforcement partners to address the violence that has disproportionately harmed Tribal communities and families,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We will continue to prioritize our support of victims and will steadfastly pursue investigations into the crime impacting American Indian and Alaska Native communities.”

“DEA’s top priority is protecting all communities from deadly drugs, like fentanyl, and drug related violent crime,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram.  “We know that no community has been spared from these deadly threats and we are committed to keeping Tribal communities safe.”

Justice Department Prioritization of MMIP Cases

Last July, the Justice Department announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which permanently places 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people. The five regions include the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast Regions. 

The MMIP Regional Outreach Program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to U.S. Attorneys’ offices promoting public safety in Indian country. The program fulfills the Justice Department’s promise to dedicate new personnel to MMIP consistent with Executive Order 14053, Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People, and the Department’s Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons issued in July 2022. 

Not Invisible Act Commission Response

The Department’s work to respond to the MMIP crisis is a whole-of-department effort. In March, the Departments of Justice and the Interior released their joint response to the Not Invisible Act Commission’s recommendations on how to combat the missing or murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking crisis. The NIAC response, announced by Attorney General Garland during a visit to the Crow Nation in Montana, recognizes that more must be done across the federal government to resolve this longstanding crisis and support healing from the generational traumas that Indigenous peoples have endured throughout the history of the United States. 

Addressing Violent Crime and the Fentanyl Crisis in Indian Country

As noted in the joint response to the NIAC, research suggests that certain public safety challenges faced by many American Indian and Alaska Native communities—including disproportionate violence against women, families, and children; substance abuse; drug trafficking; and labor and sex trafficking—can influence the rates of missing AI/AN persons.

Further, fentanyl poisoning and overdose deaths are the leading cause of opioid deaths throughout the United States, including Indian county, where drug-related overdose death rates for Native Americans exceeds the national rate.

Therefore, federal law enforcement components are ramping up efforts to forge stronger partnerships with federal and Tribal law enforcement partners to address violent crime and the fentanyl crisis, which exposes already vulnerable communities to greater harm.  For instance:

In the District of Montana, federal, local and tribal law enforcement, through a collaborative investigation, dismantled a large-scale, multi-state methamphetamine and narcotics trafficking conspiracy that ran from January 2022 until March 2023 and was based on two properties on the Crow Reservation, including one known as Spear Siding. The investigation determined that while based on the Crow Reservation, trafficking operations reached across Montana, including to the Northern Cheyenne, Fort Belknap, and Rocky Boy’s reservations. The investigation into Spear Siding activities has led to federal charges against more than two dozen defendants, 13 of whom have been convicted and sentenced.

Accessing Department of Justice Resource

Over the past year, the Department awarded $268 million in grants to help enhance Tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses. These awards have also gone toward improving the handling of child abuse cases, combating domestic and sexual violence, supporting Tribal youth programs, and strengthening victim services in Tribal communities.

For additional information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis, please visit the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons section of the Tribal Safety and Justice website.

Click here for more information about reporting or identifying missing persons.

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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 May 2 was:

James Vernon Day, Jr., 55, of Thompson Falls, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and possession of an unregistered firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Day faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Day was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Sanders County Sheriff’s Office and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  PACER case reference. 24-23.

Appearing on April 29 was:

Edward Wayne Brock, 66, and Jane Ami McGovern, 55, both of Missoula, 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, Brock and McGovern face a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Brock and McGovern were detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Missoula County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Highway Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-6.

Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on April 30 was:

Dalton Michael Williams, 22, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Williams faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Williams was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Sweet Grass County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-153.

Isaac James Cardona, 45, of Belgrade, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Cardona faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Cardona was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Belgrade Police Department investigated the case.  PACER case reference. 24-11.

Appearing on a criminal complaint was:

Oscar Enrique Ruiz Rojas, 25, of Gallatin Gateway, on charges of alien in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Rojas faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Rojas was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-24.

Appearing on April 29 and pleading not guilty was:

John Michael Hadler, 37, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hadler faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Hadler was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-53.

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 Missoula felon was sentenced on May 1 to 33 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a loaded and stolen firearm, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Caleb Gerard Diamond, 24, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that in May 2023, Diamond, while on felony probation for two separate crimes, was arrested for exposing himself in public while watching two females leave a movie theater. Diamond possessed a loaded .45-caliber handgun and methamphetamine. The gun had been stolen the previous October from a vehicle a few blocks from where Diamond was arrested. Twelve days earlier, Diamond stole ammunition from a local business. When questioned about firearms in his residence, Diamond initially stated he was not aware of any but then advised he recently had purchased a shotgun and gave it to his roommate.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case. The Missoula Police Department, 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.

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GREAT FALLS — A Hays man convicted by a federal jury of sexually abusing a minor girl on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation was sentenced on May 1 to three years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

Following a three-day trial, the jury on Oct. 5, 2023 found Daniel Jacob Werk, 38, guilty of sexual abuse of a minor, as charged in an indictment.

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

In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that from July 2021 to October 2021, Werk repeatedly sexually abused a 15-year-old girl on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Werk, who was the program coordinator for the Fort Belknap Grassland Restoration Project, a program designed to provide opportunities for at-risk Native youth, recruited the girl, identified as Jane Doe, into the program and then repeatedly engaged in sexual acts with her.

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

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BILLINGS — A Washington man who admitted to trafficking fentanyl and illegally possessing a firearm after a traffic stop in Columbus was sentenced on May 1 to 11 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Anthony Omarel Kenner, 31, of Tacoma, Washington, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that in March 2022, law enforcement pulled over Kenner and a passenger in a traffic stop. Officers became suspicious of drugs in the vehicle based on Kenner’s and his passenger’s conflicting stories and the presence of drug paraphernalia. A search warrant was executed on the vehicle, and law enforcement found in the trunk a backpack containing cocaine, fentanyl and a loaded, stolen .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol.  Kenner was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a previous felony conviction in Washington.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelsey M. Hendricks and Thomas K. Godfrey prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Columbus 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.

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BILLINGS — A Billings man today admitted to a sex trafficking crime after he was accused of offering to provide a minor girl alcohol in exchange for sex, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Joshua Allen Morgan, 40, pleaded guilty to attempted sex trafficking of a minor. Morgan faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to a lifetime of supervised release. Under the terms of a plea agreement, the parties agree that a sentence of no less than 15 years in prison is appropriate.

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. Morgan was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that in March 2023, following Morgan’s arrest on other charges, law enforcement served a search warrant on his phone. Law enforcement found Facebook communications between Morgan and a juvenile girl, identified as Jane Doe. In an interview with law enforcement, Doe disclosed that she had met Morgan when she was 15 or 16 after he began sending her messages on Facebook.  Morgan provided Doe with alcohol, and they spent time together. During this period, Moran sexually assaulted Doe at his residence. In March 2023, Morgan and Doe began corresponding again and discussions involved Morgan providing Doe with alcohol in exchange for sexual conduct. Doe informed Morgan she was a juvenile, and Morgan instructed her not to disclose their relationship to anyone. Doe and Morgan did meet, but Doe left prior to engaging in sexual conduct with Morgan.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno B. Baucus and Jacob A. Yerger are prosecuting the case. The FBI and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.justice.gov/psc.

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BILLINGS — A Billings felon who admitted to illegally possessing four firearms, all stolen, 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, Armondo Anthony Ronquillo, 37, pleaded guilty in January to prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that in January 2023, law enforcement served a search warrant on Ronquillo’s residence and located three handguns, 100 rounds of ammunition, meth, fentanyl pills and $546 in cash. Ronquillo admitted to selling drugs and trading them for firearms. In March 2023, Ronquillo was the front seat passenger in a vehicle stopped by law enforcement. Ronquillo had a fanny pack that contained a pistol and 10 rounds of ammunition. All four firearms in Ronquillo’s possession had been stolen. Ronquillo was prohibited from possessing firearms because of previous felony conviction in Montana.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla. E. Painter prosecuted the case. The Billings Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 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.

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MISSOULA — A Washington man who brought fentanyl pills to Missoula for distribution was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Dustin William Slaney, 44, of Tacoma, Washington, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

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

The government alleged in court documents that law enforcement learned from sources that Slaney was a prolific drug dealer in the Missoula area from approximately January 2021 through December 2022 and that he brought drugs from Spokane to Missoula for redistribution. Investigators learned that an individual purchased more than 3,000 fentanyl pills over a 60-day period from Slaney and that he had been seen in possession of 10,000 fentanyl pills and a half-pound of meth. In December 2022, a Montana state search warrant was served on Slaney’s vehicle and resulted in the recovery of fentanyl, meth, heroin, various drug paraphernalia, firearms, and U.S. currency.

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

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

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GREAT FALLS — A Washington man who admitted to bringing large quantities of fentanyl pills to the Great Falls area and other Montana cities for redistribution was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Joseph Allen Conner, aka Street, 40, of Yakima, Washington, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that on June 23, 2023, in University Place, Washington, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant on Conner’s residence and recovered pills, a money counter, firearms, and ammunition. Conner admitted in an interview that beginning in September 2022, he made multiple trips to Montana, including to Great Falls, Missoula, Lincoln, and Haugen, to sell fentanyl and other controlled substances. The investigation determined that Conner distributed large amounts of pills to multiple sources and possessed “buckets full” of fentanyl pills. Conner also mailed large amounts of pills to distributors and was seen with what an individual described as a “volleyball size bag” of pills. Law enforcement also seized approximately 1,500 fentanyl pills and meth from a vehicle being driven by a co-conspirator and determined that the drugs came from Conner.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Great Falls Police Department and Russell Country 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.

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BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted to threatening to kill Montana U.S. Senator Jon Tester in voicemail messages was sentenced today to 30 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

The defendant, Anthony James Cross, 30, pleaded guilty in January to threats to injure and murder a United States Senator.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court accepted a plea agreement in the case and ultimately dismissed a second count that charged Cross with threats against the President.

The government alleged in court documents that on April 17, 2023, Sen. Tester’s office received voicemails containing direct threats to the senator and his family. The voicemails, which contained expletives, included threats that the caller was going to, among other things, “kill every single one of your (obscenity) family members,” and that they would experience a “horrendous death.” Law enforcement determined that the phone number associated with the calls was attributed to Cross, who lived in Billings and had previous interactions with law enforcement.

A review of Cross’s social media activity indicated disturbing content. The government further alleged that on April 25, 2023, Google contacted the FBI regarding multiple comments made to YouTube videos flagged as threatening. The comments were attributed to Cross’s YouTube account. Some of the comments made in April 2023 included direct threats to kill the President and how “we are actively hunting down and killing any trans in our major cities.”

When interviewed, Cross admitted to making the comments posted on YouTube and to using his cellular phone to make the comments.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno B. Baucus and Jeffrey K. Starnes prosecuted the case. The FBI and United States Secret Service conducted the investigation.

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MISSOULA — A Butte man who admitted to distributing multiple pounds of methamphetamine and tens of thousands of fentanyl pills as part of large-scale trafficking ring was sentenced today to three years and six months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Trevor Allen Handy, 27, pleaded guilty in September 2023 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

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

“Individuals like Mr. Handy continue to terrorize communities like Butte by transporting and mailing staggering quantities of illegal drugs and poisoning Montana citizens.  I’m grateful to our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners for their cooperation in this investigation and hope this sentence serves as a warning to people who think they can profit from this reprehensible conduct,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

In court documents, the government alleged that in June 2022, law enforcement in Utah stopped a vehicle that contained approximately four pounds of meth, one pound of heroin and 6,000 pills containing fentanyl. The driver told law enforcement he was transporting the drugs to Butte for distribution by a drug trafficking organization headed by co-defendant Juan Felipe Vidrio Fuentes, aka “Esco.” Law enforcement determined that the co-conspirators would transport meth and fentanyl by driving the drugs from California to Montana and by mailing the pills. Law enforcement arrested Handy in January 2023 after the drug trafficking organization sent him a package of approximately 3,000 fentanyl pills for distribution in Butte. Handy admitted that he had received multiple packages of drugs sent to his residence on behalf of the drug organization for distribution by its members. Handy also admitted he had traveled by vehicle to California to pick up multiple pounds of meth and thousands of fentanyl pills and driven them back to Butte for distribution for the drug organization.

After Handy’s arrest, law enforcement searched two Butte addresses occupied by members of the drug organization and located multiple pounds of meth, more than 200 grams of fentanyl, approximately $17,500 in cash and seven firearms. Investigators seized a total of approximately 18 pounds of meth, which is the equivalent of about 65,232 doses, and approximately 4.85 pounds of fentanyl. The total amount of meth and fentanyl that Handy flooded into Butte is much higher, based on his admissions to previously distributing multiple pounds and tens of thousands of fentanyl pills that were not seized.

Co-defendants Fuentes, 36, of Anaheim, California; James Andrew Stringari, 51, of Whitehall; and Janet Dean White, 57, of Butte, were found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances on April 25 in a federal jury trial and are awaiting sentencing. Four other co-defendants, Martin Topete Garcia, 32, his brother, Johnathan Topete, 28, both of Mira Loma, California; Anthony Wayne Johnson II, 51, of Santa Ana, California; and Agatha Noriz Carranza, 34, of Whitehall, pleaded guilty earlier to charges and are awaiting sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Lowney prosecuted the case. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Southwest Montana Drug Task Force, Montana Highway Patrol, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri River Drug Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Utah Highway Patrol and Utah State Bureau of Investigations 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.

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GREAT FALLS — A Browning who admitted sexually abusing a teenager and domestic abuse in two separate cases on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 12 years and six months in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

Merlyn Roger Lee Marceau, 41, pleaded guilty in November 2023 to aggravated sexual abuse and to domestic assault by habitual offender. A plea agreement reached in the cases calls for both matters to be sentenced at the same time and for the sentences in each case to run concurrent to each other.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that on June 27, 2023, Marceau forcefully sexually abused a 13-year-old, identified as Doe, in a shed at a residence. The government also alleged that on June 24, 2023, Marceau and a separate victim, identified as Jane Doe and with whom he had been in a romantic relationship, began arguing. Marceau assaulted Jane Doe by striking her repeatedly. Marceau disclosed the assault to the FBI in an unrelated interview. Marceau had two prior domestic assault convictions from Browning Tribal Court.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the case. The FBI, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and Blackfeet Child Protective Services investigated the sexual abuse case, and the FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services investigated the domestic assault case.

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GREAT FALLS — A Vaughn man was sentenced today to three years and eight months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after he admitted to distributing methamphetamine from his home near an elementary school and having firearms, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Donnovan Orville Horton, 52, pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute meth and to drug user in possession of firearms.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that in December 2022, officers with the Russell Country Drug Task Force learned that an individual was obtaining meth from Horton. Law enforcement then made a series of purchases of meth from Horton, once in a parking lot in Great Falls and three times from his home in Vaughn. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Horton’s residence, which is less than 200 feet and across the street from an elementary school. Officers located meth, drug paraphernalia, equipment for making hash oil and four firearms.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes prosecuted the case. The Russell Country Drug Task Force and FBI 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.

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BILLINGS — A Billings man admitted today to possessing images of child pornography that he exchanged with another man, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Nathan Allen Sayler, 47, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography as charged in a superseding information. Sayler faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years to a lifetime 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. Sayler was released, pending a detention hearing scheduled for May 8.

The government alleged in court documents that in September 2020, law enforcement in Texas arrested an individual who was believed to be exchanging child pornography on social media. Law enforcement reviewed those accounts and determined that, in September 2020, a user in Montana had sent and received child pornography.  An investigation led to a phone number on a cellular phone and an internet provider address of Sayler’s ex-wife. On Dec. 16, 2020, law enforcement conducted a probation search of Sayler, and he denied possessing the phone. Sayler’s ex-wife informed law enforcement that she had purchased the phone for Sayler at his request. In a subsequent interview in December 2020, Sayler acknowledged he had received the cellular phone from his ex-wife but had thrown it into the Yellowstone River in September 2020.  Law enforcement was never able to locate the phone. Following the interview, Sayler suggested to his ex-wife that he had the phone on Dec. 16, 2020, when law enforcement was looking for it, but discarded it after they left. In January 2024, investigators executed a search warrant on email accounts associated with Sayler and located child pornography on one of the accounts.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI, Billings Police Department and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.justice.gov/psc.

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GREAT FALLS — A Cut Bank man was sentenced today to five years and nine months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for assaulting and then shooting and wounding a woman at a residence on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Luke Charles Wells, 33, pleaded guilty in November 2023 to assault with a dangerous weapon and to using a firearm during a crime of violence.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that on July 16, 2023, Wells was intoxicated at a residence on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, when he became angry at the victim, identified as Jane Doe. Doe was in a bathroom when Wells broke down the door and began assaulting her. Doe ran outside to escape. Wells chased her and pulled out a pistol. Doe tripped and fell, and Wells started shooting at the ground around her. Wells then hit Doe in the head with the gun several times before shooting and wounding her in the chest. Doe was transported to the hospital. Wells, disobeying officers’ commands and while armed, fled multiple law enforcement agencies in a vehicle pursuit before being tased and arrested.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the case. The FBI, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Cut Bank Police Department and Glacier County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

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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 April 22 was:

Donnell Deriky White, 29, of Billings, on charges of attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. If convicted of the most serious crime, White faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. White was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-152.

Charles Jesse Sanchez, Jr., 58, of Lame Deer, on charges of conspiracy with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Sanchez faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Sanchez was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-30.

Sergio Rene Tagaban, 54, of Calexico, California, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Tagaban faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Tagaban was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-34.

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 federal jury on Thursday convicted two Montana residents and a California man of drug trafficking crimes for bringing pounds of methamphetamine and thousands of fentanyl pills to the Butte and Helena communities for distribution, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

After a four-day trial that began on April 22, the jury found Juan Felipe Vidrio Fuentes, 36, of Anaheim, California; James Andrew Stringari, 51, of Whitehall; and Janet Dean White, 57, of Butte, guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. The defendants face a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The court set sentencing for Sept. 3 for all three defendants. The defendants remained detained pending further proceedings.

“These three defendants are the last of eight Montanans and Californians indicted and now convicted for bringing at least 13 pounds of methamphetamine and thousands of fentanyl pills to the Butte and Helena areas. The harm and misery they inflicted on people so they could make money cannot be overstated. Their convictions show that our office and our law enforcement partners are relentless in rooting out and ridding these drug trafficking rings from our cities and towns. I am grateful to Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Lowney, our support staff, and the 11 law enforcement agencies who investigated and prosecuted this case,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

At trial and in court documents, the government alleged that from June 2022 until about January 2023 in Butte and Helena, Fuentes, Stringari, White and five other co-defendants conspired to traffic meth and fentanyl. In June 2022, the Utah Highway Patrol stopped an individual traveling in a vehicle carrying 3.5 pounds of meth and 6,000 pills containing fentanyl and learned that the individual was transporting the drugs to Butte for distribution by “Esco,” who was Fuentes. Law enforcement further learned that Fuentes was staying at a house in Whitehall along with at least one co-defendant, Stringari, and that Fuentes was supplying both fentanyl and meth throughout the Butte area from the Whitehall residence. In addition, law enforcement inspected a source’s cell phone and corroborated information about meth and fentanyl trafficking that implicated Fuentes, Stringari, White and another co-defendant.

The government further alleged that in October 2022, law enforcement stopped a vehicle leaving the Whitehall residence. White was a passenger in the vehicle, and law enforcement found one pound of meth in her purse. In November 2022, law enforcement again stopped White in a vehicle and located three quarters of a pound of meth and more than 100 pills containing fentanyl. White also possessed several cell phones, which contained messages indicative of White’s drug distribution.

In addition, investigators in November 2022 intercepted packages containing approximately 9,000 pills containing fentanyl that were mailed by a co-defendant from California to the address in Whitehall and learned of a package the co-defendant had mailed to an address of another co-defendant in Butte. In January 2023, investigators intercepted another package containing 3,000 pills containing fentanyl that was sent from California to the address in Butte. Law enforcement also learned that Fuentes was now staying at a house in Helena.

Law enforcement conducted coordinated stops and raids of the Helena and Butte addresses. In the Butte residence, law enforcement located approximately six pounds of meth, 208 grams of fentanyl, $15,000 cash and seven firearms. In the Helena residence, law enforcement located approximately seven pounds of meth and 68 grams of fentanyl.

Co-defendants Martin Topete Garcia, 32, his brother, Johnathan Topete, 28, both of Mira Loma, California, Trevor Allen Handy, 27, of Butte, Anthony Wayne Johnson II, 51, of Santa Ana, California, and Agatha Noriz Carranza, 34, of Whitehall, pleaded guilty earlier to charges in the case and are pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Lowney is prosecuting the case. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Southwest Montana Drug Task Force, Montana Highway Patrol, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri River Drug Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Utah Highway Patrol and Utah State Bureau of Investigations 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 Brockton woman on April 24 admitted to stealing a firearm and a vehicle in a residential burglary on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Avis Big Track, 32, pleaded guilty to burglary. Big Track faces a maximum of 20 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 Aug. 28. Big Track was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged that on Sept. 26, 2022, two homeowners reported a burglary of their home in Brockton, which is on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. During the burglary, Big Track took a .45-caliber pistol and keys to a 2014 Chrysler, which she used to steal the Chrysler. Big Track was seen driving the stolen Chrysler, and she eventually admitted that she took the vehicle and had given the firearm to another individual, who put it in a safe with drugs. Law enforcement searched the safe and found the pistol and methamphetamine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Myers is prosecuting the case. Fort Peck Tribal Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.

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GREAT FALLS — A Heart Butte woman accused of hitting another woman with her vehicle, pinning her between another vehicle, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, admitted to an assault charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Julia Lee Bigback, 40, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Bigback 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 Aug. 29. Bigback was released pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that on May 18, 2022, Bigback was drinking with others and driving a suburban around Browning. The group stopped at a residence where one of Bigback’s companions got into a physical altercation with the victim, identified as Jane Doe. Bigback remained in the suburban, parked behind two vehicles. After the fight, Bigback pulled forward in the suburban, hitting the car in front, which then struck Doe, who had been walking between two stationary cars. Doe was sandwiched between the two cars. Bigback then reversed out of the driveway and drove away. Doe suffered two broken legs and required extensive surgery.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana joins the Drug Enforcement Administration in support of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 27. The biannual event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at sites across Montana. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in homes are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses from these drugs.

“All Montanans can help stop the epidemic of drug overdoses and those that lead to death, especially from opioids, by safely disposing of unused or expired prescription drugs in their homes. Participating in DEA’s Drug Take Back Day is an easy way to clean out the medicine cabinet and prevent these drugs from being abused. I urge everyone to help make their communities safer,” U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

“Prevention of drug misuse starts at home. For over a decade DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has provided our community a safe and easy way to get rid of unnecessary medications,” said DEA Montana Resident Agent in Charge Cesar Avila. “This past fall we collected more than 1,100 pounds of unneeded medications throughout Montana, and, with your help, we hope to collect even more this Saturday.”

Numerous sheriff’s offices, police departments and federal agencies across Montana are participating in Take Back Day. Information about collection sites and more information about event is available here: https://takebackday.dea.gov/

During the last Take Back Day held on Oct. 28, 2023, 4,383 law enforcement participants at 4,675 collection sites across the country brought in a total weight of 599,897 pounds, or 300 tons, of drugs. This brings the total weight collected to 17.9 million pounds, or more than 8,950 tons, of prescription drugs collected in the history of the program. Collection results may include materials other than prescription drugs.

During the October 2023 event, Montanans turned in 1,109 pounds of prescription drugs at 21 collection sites. Nineteen law enforcement agencies participated. Total all time weight collected in Montana is 54,554 pounds.

In addition to DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day on April 27, prescription drugs can be disposed of any day throughout the year at any of the 11,000 authorized collectors. For more information on collection sites, visit: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 27 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com.

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BILLINGS — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana joins the Department of Justice and communities nationwide in commemorating National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) from April 21 to 27. This year’s theme is: “How would you help? Options, services and hope for survivors.”

Each April, the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), leads communities in observing NCVRW to honor victims, uphold their rights and recognize victim advocates.  OVC’s 2024 theme is focused on creating safe environments for crime victims to share what happened to them, and in doing so, offer support, options for life-saving services and, most importantly, hope.

“Each year, it is appropriate and necessary to recognize crime victims who suffer pain, trauma, and loss due to those who harm or prey on them. We reaffirm our commitment to upholding victims’ rights and supporting victims in their time of need. The courage of victims who come forward to report crimes is inspiring, as their bravery helps us hold offenders accountable and ensure they can’t harm others again. I also want to commend our office’s victim specialists, who work diligently every day to support victims and seek justice on their behalf,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana has a dedicated team of prosecutors and victim assistance professionals who work together to ensure victims of crime receive the services and support they need.

During NCVRW, victim advocacy organizations, community groups and state, local and tribal agencies host gatherings, candlelight vigils and other events to raise awareness about victims’ rights and services.  

For more information on how to create your own public campaigns to raise awareness about crime victims’ rights online and at events throughout the year, please visit: https://ovc.ojp.gov/ncvrw2024/overview. Also, visit www.ovc.gov for more information.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. If you believe you’ve been the target or victim of a crime, please contact your local law enforcement agency or your nearest FBI field office immediately. The FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, which covers Montana, may be reached at (801) 579-1400 or by submitting tips online at tips.fbi.gov.

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BILLINGS  — 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 Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on April 16 was:

Leon Boyd Messerly, 63 of Fort Belknap, on charges of assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and domestic assault by habitual offender. If convicted of the most serious crime, Messerly faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Messerly was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rocky Boy’s Law Enforcement and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement conducted the investigation. PACER Case No. 24-20.

Colten Small, 21, of Box Elder, on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted of the most serious crime, Small faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Small was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Law Enforcement conducted the investigation. PACER Case No. 24-17.

Edmund Taylor Madarassy IV, 27, of Ennis, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Madarassy faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Madarassy was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Helena Police Department and Montana Probation & Parole conducted the investigation. PACER Case No. 24-10.

Appearing on a criminal complaint was:

Levi Eric Newton, 29, of Bainville, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Newton faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $20 million fine and five years of supervised release. Newton was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Valley County Sheriff’s Office, Phillips County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Peck Police Department and Williston (North Dakota) Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER Case No. 24-34.

Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on April 17 was:

Kyle James Jonas, 32, of Park City, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of a stolen firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Jonas faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Jonas was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER Case No. 24-41.

Appearing on April 15 was:

Alexander Mikhail Lyles, 37, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lyles faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Lyles was detained pending further proceedings. The Billings Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. PACER Case No. 23-122.

Angelena Emma Lafave, 58, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lafave faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Lafave was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Billings Police Department and U.S. Postal Service conducted the investigation. PACER Case No. 24-34.

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 Crow Agency man convicted by a federal jury of sexually abusing two girls on the Crow Indian Reservation was sentenced today to five years and three months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

After a two-day trial, the jury on Dec. 12, 2023, found Edwin Ivan Don’tMix, 60, guilty of abusive sexual contact of a child and abusive sexual contact of a minor.

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

In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that in January 2015, Jane Doe 2 disclosed to the FBI that Don’tMix touched her vaginal area over her clothes while she was sledding. Jane Doe 2 was 13 years old at the time. Jane Doe 2 also disclosed in the same interview, that in 2012 or 2013, she was asleep and awoke to Don’tMix touching her vaginal area over her clothes. The touching occurred at a Crow Agency residence. In October 2021, another child, Jane Doe 1, disclosed to a school counselor that Don’tMix touched her vaginal area over her clothes when she was either 6, 7 or 8 years old and that the touching happened three or four times at a Crow Agency residence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case. The FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS — A Wyoming man convicted for his role in arranging for commercial sex in Billings and then lying to federal investigators was sentenced today to one year of probation and fined $7,500, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

On Feb. 20, U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters found the defendant, Mark Jay Albrecht, 66, of Gillette, Wyoming, guilty of use of facility in interstate commerce in aid of racketeering and making a false statement following a one-day bench trial. Judge Watters presided at sentencing.

In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that on April 21, 2021, law enforcement responded to a report of possible commercial sex activity at a Billings motel. Billings police officers knocked on the door of the suspect room and announced themselves. A woman, identified as Ashley Stella, of Reno, Nevada, Jane Doe 1, who was a minor at the time, and Albrecht emerged. Albrecht was seen buttoning up his shirt as he exited the room. Albrecht initially denied to police and FBI officers that he was in the room for a sexual encounter and offered various stories about why he was there. Ultimately, Albrecht acknowledged going to the room to engage in commercial sex and using a social media website and his cell phone to arrange for commercial sex. Stella acknowledged in interviews that Albrecht was in the room for commercial sex, and that Jane Doe 1 traveled with her for the purpose of commercial sex. Following the events of April 21, 2021, law enforcement began a federal sex trafficking investigation.

As part of the federal investigation, Albrecht arrived for an interview with law enforcement in May 2021 and repeatedly stated that he did not go to the motel for the purpose of commercial sex. Rather, Albrecht offered another story about why he was communicating with Stella. Albrecht never admitted he was soliciting commercial sex during his May 2021 interview, contrary to facts known by law enforcement. Stella was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for conviction of transportation of a minor to engage in prostitution.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI, IRS and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS — A Crow Agency man accused of punching a woman in the face admitted to an assault charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Darek Paul Birdinground, 33, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury as charged in an indictment. Birdinground faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

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 Aug. 14. Birdinground was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that while investigating a separate, unrelated assault, the FBI learned in June 2023 of an assault that occurred on Jan. 21, 2023 in Crow Agency, on the Crow Indian Reservation. Agents with the FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs learned that the victim, identified as Jane Doe, was driving a truck in Crow Agency when she saw an SUV coming up fast behind her, so she pulled over. Doe’s driver window was rolled down. Birdinground, the driver of the SUV, got out carrying a baseball bat and approached Doe. He was angry and asked Doe a question. Confused, Doe looked at a passenger and when she turned back toward Birdinground, he punched her in the left eye. Birdinground then used the baseball bat to break the windows of the truck. Doe suffered loss of vision in her eye.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is prosecuting the case. The FBI and BIA conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS — A Billings man today admitted to a firearms crime after law enforcement located a silencer along with 14 firearms in his residence while conducting an investigation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, William Henry Alberts, 66, pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm. Alberts faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

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 Aug. 14. Alberts was released pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that on April 25, 2023, Alberts and another man were on a motorcycle when they were pulled over for a traffic stop. The other person had abandoned a stolen four-wheeler and was taken into custody. Alberts was allowed to walk back to his property. In the meantime, law enforcement secured Alberts’ property, believing that federal fugitive was living on the property. When Alberts arrived home, he gave law enforcement permission to search his home for the fugitive. During the search, law enforcement saw a shotgun in plain view. Alberts admitted that he was convicted of a drug felony in 1992 and admitted that there were at least 10 firearms in the house. Officers executed a search warrant and found 14 firearms, methamphetamine and assorted ammunition. Officers also located a black suppressor/silencer. The silencer was not registered as required by law, and so the possession violated federal firearms laws.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting 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.

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MISSOULA — A California man indicted as part of large drug conspiracy that had ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and brought methamphetamine and other drugs to Butte for redistribution admitted to a trafficking crime on Monday after law enforcement seized more than 12 pounds of meth from his vehicle, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Raymond Perez Ramos, 31, of Long Beach, California, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth. Ramos faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for Aug. 14 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. Ramos was released pending further proceedings. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The government alleged in court documents that from about October 2019 to November 2020 in Butte, Ramos and co-defendant, Travis Bridger Soderberg, possessed meth with intent to distribute the drug. Soderberg was previously sentenced to eight years in prison for his conviction in the case. In August 2020, Ramos asked if others had “work” for him and that others told Ramos “work” was indeed available but that he needed to keep quiet about “whatever we got going on.”  Agents interpreted “work” to mean transporting meth. In November 2020, Ramos transported 12.5 pounds of meth, which is approximately 5,600 doses, to Montana for re-distribution. When Ramos arrived in Montana, law enforcement seized his vehicle and recovered meth that was hidden inside the door.

The multi-agency undercover investigation into a large-scale, Butte-based drug trafficking organization that had ties to the Sinaloa Cartel has resulted in the federal convictions of 22 other persons.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation led the investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Montana Highway Patrol, the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force, Butte Silver Bow Law Enforcement and Butte Silver Bow County Attorney’s Office.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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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 April 10 was:

Kyle Barclay Wallace, 36, of Kalispell, on charges of false statement in acquisition of a firearm and receipt of a firearm by person under indictment. If convicted of the most serious crime, Wallace faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Wallace was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Flathead County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 22-29.

Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on April 9 was:

Taneal Raschae Sutherland, 30, of Deer Lodge, on charges of kidnapping and assault with intent to commit a felony. If convicted of the most serious crime, Sutherland faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Sutherland was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-21.

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 — Two Butte men who admitted to charges stemming from the illegal importation of two pill presses from China were sentenced this week, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

David Jesus Tapia-Padron, 34, was sentenced today to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Tapia-Padron pleaded guilty in November 2023 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Co-defendant Austin Perry King-Terrell, 30, was sentenced on April 9 to three years of probation and fined $4,000. King-Terrell pleaded guilty in November 2023 to illegal importation of pill press.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that in September 2022, two industrial tablet presses were illegally imported from China to the United States and addressed to a warehouse in Anaconda. The Drug Enforcement Administration intercepted the presses and then had them delivered. The DEA determined that King-Terrell had ordered the presses for Tapia-Padron and provided them to him. Each press was priced at $3,499 and could produce 4,500 to 6,000 pills an hour. Agents later searched Tapia-Padron’s residence and found large quantities of marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms and a vacuum sealed package containing one kilogram of cocaine. Agents also located distribution paraphernalia, a money counter, money bands, several handguns and rifles, a mannequin wearing body armor and other items. Five days before agents searched his house, Tapia-Padron, using his mother’s name, ordered 50 kilograms of baby blue tabling mix to be shipped to him from California. In addition, the investigation determined that Tapia-Padron paid King-Terrell to buy what King-Terrell referred to as a “kief press.” Kief is a concentrated form of marijuana. Tapia-Padron regularly sold King-Terrell marijuana and offered him psilocybin mushrooms.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case. The DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

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MISSOULA — A Missoula woman who admitted to stealing property from the U.S. Forest Service was sentenced today to two years and two months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Kasey Nichol Hugs, 39, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to theft of government property.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The judge also ordered $11,836 restitution for the damage caused to the property Hugs stole.

The government alleged in court documents that on Dec. 26, 2020, a white Dodge Ram 2500 crew cab pickup truck, valued at approximately $40,000, and two government cell phones were stolen from the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station in Missoula. Five days later, Hugs stole a second truck, a 2017 Ford crew cab, valued at more than $28,000, from the same facility. In the weeks that followed, Hugs drove the trucks to various businesses in Missoula. In January 2021, the Ford was located on the Flathead Indian Reservation and the Dodge was recovered from the side of Highway 200 in Lincoln. Both vehicles sustained property damage and were missing their truck bed toppers. Hugs was identified through surveillance videos and other evidence as having stolen the property.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case. The U.S. Forest Service and Missoula Police Department conducted the investigation.

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MISSOULA — A Missoula man who admitted to a drug trafficking crime after he accepted a controlled delivery of a package that had contained more than two pounds of methamphetamine was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Marcus Lejon Williams, 45, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to attempted possession with intent to distribute meth.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that law enforcement received information that Williams was distributing large amounts of meth, was receiving it through the mail and had firearms at his residence. In January 2022, a U.S. Postal Service inspector searched a package containing suspected meth and was addressed to a person at Williams’ address. The package contained approximately 1,000 grams of meth, which is 2.2 pounds. Postal records showed two other similar packages were shipped from California to Williams’ address in May 2021 and September 2021. Law enforcement made a controlled delivery of the package, with the meth removed. Williams and the person to whom the package was addressed came out to accept the package in a parking lot. A search warrant was executed on the residence and officers located a 9 mm handgun. Williams admitted that the package was for him and that he had been getting meth from his source in California once every two months for the past six or seven years. Williams also stated that he had been “in the game” for 25 or 26 years, was tired of doing it for a living and estimated that he made $120,000 to $130,000. Williams also admitted that the gun was his and that he used it for protection.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Clark prosecuted the case. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Missoula 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.

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BILLINGS — A former Lame Deer pastor, who was convicted in a jury trial of sexually abusing children on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

A federal jury on Dec. 11, 2023 found the defendant, Dean Alan Smith, 67, guilty of aggravated sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact by force and two counts of abusive sexual contact by force and of a child. The jury acquitted Smith of one count of abusive sexual contact of a child.

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

“Pastor Smith’s prison sentence, while significant, does not come close to the lifetime of trauma his victims will have to endure.  But I hope knowing that Smith will likely spend the rest of his life in federal prison gives them some peace of mind that he won’t be able to abuse others.  Far too often, and unacceptably so, we are unable to obtain justice for children sexually abused in Indian Country.  But justice was achieved here, and it would not have occurred without the bravery of our victims or the tenacity of our federal partners and prosecutors, for which I am grateful,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

The government alleged in court documents and at trial that Smith was the pastor of a local church in Lame Deer, on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, and that during his time on the reservation, he and his wife housed several foster children and temporarily hosted other children from the community. In approximately 2021 and 2022, four girls, identified as Jane Does 1, 2, 3 and 4, disclosed being sexually abused by Smith between 2017 and 2020 when they were staying or living at Smith’s home. The government alleged that Smith abused each of them, separately and in private, on multiple occasions. All of the victims were under the age of 12 at the time.

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

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MISSOULA — A Libby woman accused of stealing items from packages while working as a mail carrier subcontractor admitted to a theft charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Haley Rushel Hickman, 24, pleaded guilty to theft of mail as charged in an indictment. Hickman faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for Aug. 14 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. Hickman was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that Hickman worked as a subcontracted mail carrier for the U.S. Post Office in Troy. In late August 2023, the Troy postmaster received complaints regarding several packages—including items with Veterans Affairs (VA) medication, collectors’ coins and children’s cloths—that were received without their contents. Hickman was responsible for delivering each package. In September 2023, Hickman took a VA medication parcel bearing a fake address and containing a tracking device from the post office. While on her delivery route, Hickman opened the test package and, upon discovering the tracker, resealed the package and threw it out the window of her vehicle. Agents with the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General later searched for the tracking device near a mountain side. They eventually found the device near more than 20 discarded mail items and delivery notes in what appeared to be Hickman’s writing. A special agent reviewed the tracking information for several of the letters and parcels and determined they were all handled or delivered by Hickman.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter is prosecuting the case. The U.S. Postal Service, OIG conducted the investigation.

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MISSOULA — A Bozeman man who admitted to illegally exporting firearms he bought in Montana and sold to individuals in Mexico was sentenced today to three years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Cristyan Jose Gonzalez-Carrillo, 37, pleaded guilty to illegal export in October 2023.

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

“Today’s prison sentence puts this defendant out of the illegal business of buying guns in Montana and taking them to Mexico to sell. Firearms trafficking fuels violence on both sides of the border, and we remain committed here in Montana to investigating and prosecuting those who violate federal firearms laws,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

"Illegal firearms trafficking fuels the cartels' capacity to carry out violent crimes domestically and internationally," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers. "We will continue to aggressively target traffickers alongside our partners while leveraging all of our available resources."

The government alleged in court documents that in July 2020, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) received information that Gonzalez-Carrillo was involved in illegally trafficking firearms from Montana to Mexico. An investigation determined that from February 2020 to May 2020, Gonzalez-Carrillo purchased approximately 31 handguns. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Gonzalez-Carrillo’s residence in July 2020 and recovered firearms and ammunition, including semi-automatic handguns and AR style rifles, including a firearm with an illegal foregrip. In addition, agents recovered receipts from multiple stores in Montana for the purchase of firearms from February 2020 to June 2020. Investigators also reviewed Gonzalez-Carrillo’s vehicle plate records, which showed multiple border crossings at San Ysidro, California, from April 2020 to June 2020. Investigators further learned that Gonzalez-Carrillo purchased and advertised firearms for sale on the platform WhatsApp and sold firearms to individuals in Mexico.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case. The ATF 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.

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BILLINGS — U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich today announced a settlement agreement between the United States and the University of Montana over access to the Adams Center’s Dahlberg Arena for persons with disabilities. The settlement agreement will result in more wheelchair spaces and improve wheelchair seating for events at the arena, which hosts athletic events, concerts, graduation ceremonies and various other activities.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office investigated the Adams Center after it received a complaint alleging the complainant was unable to use an accessible seating area during a graduation ceremony in June 2019. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination in “the services, programs, or activities of a public entity” based on disability.

The parties voluntarily agreed to the terms of the settlement agreement, under which the University of Montana will disperse additional courtside ADA-compliant accessible seating when the Dahlberg Arena is configured for basketball, beginning with the 2024/25 season. The university will also continue to provide ADA-compliant accessible seating when the Dahlberg Arena is configured for other events, including concerts and graduations. The University of Montana cooperated with the government throughout the investigation.

“This agreement brings the seating plans for the Adams Center into compliance with the ADA by addressing issues with wheelchair spaces and seating. I appreciate the University of Montana’s cooperation with our investigation and its commitment to upholding the rights of persons with disabilities to ensure they can participate in a concert or graduation or cheer on the Grizzlies in Dahlberg Arena,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

“The Adams Center welcomes tens-of-thousands of visitors annually for some of Montana’s most celebrated events. These changes are in line with UM’s efforts to be a campus that is accessible and open to all. We thank U.S. Attorney Laslovich and his staff for their hard work and partnership on this agreement,” said Dave Kuntz, UM spokesperson.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Vestal handled the case in coordination with the Disability Rights Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. ADA complaints may be filed online at www.ada.gov/complaint. For complaints of civil rights violations occurring in the District of Montana, please visit justice.gov/usao-mt/civil-rights.

See settlement agreement here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/media/1347036/dl?inline

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