District of Montana

GREAT FALLS – A Great Falls man accused of distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl that led to the death of another person in 2020 admitted charges on Oct. 27, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Kent Fox, 48, pleaded guilty to distribution of controlled substances resulting in death. Fox faces a mandatory minimum 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Sentencing was set for Feb. 24, 2022. Fox was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that on Aug. 23, 2020, Great Falls police officers were dispatched to a camper trailer and found a male, identified as John Doe, deceased. Fox was on the scene, was friends with Doe and had last seen him two days earlier. He went to check on Doe and found him deceased. The investigation determined that Fox, Doe and co-defendant, Brandie Rae Fulbright, had discussed the use and distribution of various drugs. In an interview with law enforcement officers, Fox admitted to picking up Doe on Aug. 21, 2020 and taking him to his home so that Doe could buy meth from Fulbright. Doe traded an AR-15 rifle to Fulbright in exchange for some meth and two blue pills. Fulbright then gave the rifle to Fox, and Fox returned Doe to his camper. Investigators learned that Doe had the meth and two blue pills when he returned home and gave some of the meth to an individual. The individual saw Doe inject himself with meth obtained from Fox and then slump over on his bed. An autopsy determined that Doe died from an overdose of a combination of meth and fentanyl. Fulbright has pleaded not guilty to charges and is pending trial.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Great Falls Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

XXX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MISSOULA--The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that during an arraignment on Oct. 14, Dora Sandra Gomez, also known as Bella Gomez, 64, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging her false information and hoaxes.

If convicted of the most serious crime, Gomez faces a maximum five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Gomez was released pending further proceedings.

A trial date has been set for Dec. 20 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen.

The indictment alleges that on May 8, in Dillon, in Beaverhead County, Gomez placed an anonymous phone call to a banquet organized by the Montana Trappers Association and stated that a remotely operated explosive device was located inside the building where the banquet was taking place and people could get hurt, or words to that effect.

The FBI is not aware of any ongoing threats regarding this matter. The FBI investigated the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

PACER case reference. 21-31.

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

XXX

 

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

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

Colton James Fredrickson, 35, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Fredrickson faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Fredrickson was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-71.

Appearing on Oct. 20 was:

Michael Paul Nohrenberg, 57, of Ryegate, 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, Nohrenberg faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. The FBI’s Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case.  PACER case reference. 21-61.

Appearing on Oct. 19 was:

Jeffrey Ryan O’Keefe, 27, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, O’Keefe faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. O’Keefe was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department investigated the case.  PACER case reference. 21-34.

Appearing on Oct. 18 was:

Cameron Ross Forney, 38, of Billings, on charges of false statement during a firearms transaction and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Forney faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Forney was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 20-135.

Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Oct. 19 was:

Shane William Driscoll, 36, of Whitehall, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Driscoll faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Driscoll was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Montana Probation and Parole Division and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  PACER case reference. 21-09.

Nicole Ann Lopez, 37, of Great Falls, on charges of wire fraud. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lopez faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Lopez was released pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-69.

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

Dale Robert Johnson, 36, of Butte, 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, Johnson faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Johnson was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Service, Butte Silver Bow Police Department and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-34.

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.

XXX

 

 

 

BILLINGS — The former chairwoman of the Montana Native Women’s Coalition was sentenced today for conviction at trial of stealing federal grant funds for unapproved travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, and other unauthorized expenses, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Meredith McConnell, 52, of Lame Deer, was found guilty on April 2 at trial by a federal jury on all counts in a superseding indictment, including theft from a program receiving federal funding, wire fraud and false claims.

McConnell faced a possible sentence of 20 years in prison for wire fraud. The government requested a sentence within the guideline range of 12 months to 18 months in prison, and the court sentenced McConnell to four years of probation and ordered $29,114 restitution jointly and severally with co-defendant Sheryl Lynn Lawrence.

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

“As chairwoman of the Montana Native Women’s Coalition, McConnell was entrusted with the responsibility of using federal money to help domestic violence victims on Montana’s Indian reservations. McConnell even received training on how not to commit fraud. Yet, she committed fraud anyway and used the money for her own benefit. Those who misuse grant funds will be held accountable and prosecuted. I want to thank Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan G. Weldon and Bryan T. Dake and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General for investigating and prosecuting this case.”

“McConnell stole grant funds that were meant to help Native American victims of domestic and sexual violence.  Today’s sentencing shows that those who steal federal grant funds will be brought to justice,” said Douglas B. Bruce, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Denver Field Office.

In court documents and in evidence presented at trial, the government alleged that beginning in about August 2017, McConnell, along with others, misappropriated federal grant funds to give cash payments to others, to buy purses and earrings as door prizes, to meet in Las Vegas, a trip that cost $31,744, and to receive double payments for meals. Prosecutors alleged that during a four-month period, McConnell was responsible in the misappropriation of more than 10 percent of grant funds designed to help victims of domestic violence Montana’s Indian reservations.

The thefts occurred four months after McConnell and other board officials participated in training about conflicts of interest, whistleblower policies, ethics and financial oversight. The training came after the Coalition’s previous executive director, Toni Plummer, was convicted of fraud in March 2017 for stealing approximately $246,000 from the organization.

The Coalition is a Lame Deer-based organization that helps Native American victims of domestic and sexual violence. The Coalition receives funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), which provides grants for victim services. OVW awarded the Coalition $318,008 from October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018.

Co-defendants Sheryl Lynn Lawrence, of Colstrip, who was the Coalition’s executive director, and Barbara Mary Daychief, of Browning, who was a Coalition board member, each pleaded guilty to theft of federal funds. Lawrence was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $35,127 restitution jointly and severally with McConnell. Daychief was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to be solely liable for $2,973 restitution.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan G. Weldon and Bryan T. Dake prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.

XXX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GREAT FALLS — A Florida man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in Great Falls and to transporting $80,000 in stolen ATVs and other property in a cross-country crime spree that ended in Missouri was sentenced today to 11 years and four months in prison and to be followed by four years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Harold Goodson Hill, 37, pleaded guilty in July to possession with intent to distribute meth and to interstate transportation of stolen property.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris also ordered $70,364 restitution.

The government alleged in court documents that in September 2020, the Great Falls Police Department responded to a series of theft complaints around town of various items, including an ATV from a pickup truck. While responding to a report, officers found Hill asleep in the driver’s seat of a vehicle and seized stolen items found in the vehicle. In October 2020, law enforcement learned Hill had been selling meth in Great Falls and that he was receiving suspicious packages from Las Vegas to an address he had in Townsend.  Officers stopped Hill after he picked up a package at the Townsend post office, seized the package and determined it contained 1.9 pounds of meth. Hill told agents he had come to Montana from Virginia in April 2020 and admitted to distributing meth. The agents released Hill.

The government further alleged that Hill rented a 26-foot Penske truck in Whitehall on Oct. 29, 2020. A trooper in Missouri ultimately stopped the Penske truck, which was pulling a trailer that had been stolen from Broadwater County. Hill was the driver and sole occupant of the truck. Officers searched the truck and trailer and found five ATVs and a UTV that had been stolen in Montana and South Dakota, along with a Toro lawnmower and other items. The estimated value of the stolen items was $80,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica A. Betley and Jeffrey K. Starnes prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Great Falls Police Department, Russell Country Drug Task Force, Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Postal Service, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Belle Fourche Police Department, South Dakota, Sioux Falls Police Department, South Dakota, and Missouri State Highway Patrol.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

XXX

 

 

 

BILLINGS — A Jordan man who admitted to stealing personal identifying information from family members and acquaintances to obtain credits cards to fund his life and a drug habit was sentenced today to 51 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Eric Richard Morrow, 37, pleaded guilty in March to mail fraud and to aggravated identity theft.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters also ordered $61,188 restitution. Morrow was detained.

In court documents, the government alleged that from 2017 to 2020, Morrow assumed the identities of family members, a former employer and the former employer’s deceased wife, a former girlfriend and others who were acquainted with him by getting their personal identifying information and using it to open fraudulent credit card accounts. Morrow had access to the information because of his relationship to the various victims. Morrow then used the credit cards to buy goods and services around Montana, including in Billings, Laurel and Jordan, and to fund his drug habit. The scheme caused more than $50,000 in losses.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Billings Police Department and the U.S. Postal Service.

XXX

 

 

BILLINGS — A Mexican national who admitted to using personal information stolen from another individual to live and work in the Billings community for years was sentenced today to 51 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Hugo Javier Quiroga, also known as Antonio Alatorre, 47, pleaded guilty in April to false representation of a Social Security number, false claim to United States citizenship and aggravated identity theft.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters also ordered $4,800 restitution.

The government alleged in court documents that in 2018, law enforcement began investigating a complaint from an individual named Antonio Alatorre, originally from Brownsville, Texas. The individual said his identification documents had been stolen in the 1990s and that he had encountered numerous problems from having his identity stolen. The individual told law enforcement that he had learned someone in Billings was using his identity.

Investigators determined that the individual in Billings was Quiroga, who went by the alias Antonio Alatorre, and that Quiroga had admitted to an ex-wife that he swam across the Rio Grande to enter the United States, lived in Brownsville, Texas, for a couple of years, and used the alias as a “work name.” Investigators determined that Quiroga was born in Matamoros, Mexico.

The government further alleged that Quiroga falsely used the victim’s personal identifying information to join the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers in Helena and was a union member from 2014 through 2018. Quiroga also worked for several other companies in Montana under the Alatorre name and falsely claimed that he was a United States citizen on one of the employment application forms.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan McCarthy prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Billings Police Department.

XXX

BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted to defrauding local businesses by passing stolen and forged checks and to illegally possessing a firearm was sentenced today to five years and five months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Carl Mark Madden, 47, pleaded guilty in April to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and felon in possession of a firearm.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters also ordered $7,536 restitution.

The government alleged in court documents that Madden was involved in a scheme to defraud local businesses by passing stolen and forged checks throughout the Billings community. Madden used the identification of multiple victims and forged the signatures of real people so he could pass the checks. Madden was recorded on surveillance video at Shipton’s Big R East forging the signature of a victim on a check. Madden confessed the scheme to law enforcement on Nov. 17, 2020. Prior to the confession, a Billings Police Department officer saw Madden walking down State Avenue and asked if Madden would voluntarily go with him to police headquarters for questioning about the scheme. Madden agreed and during a safety pat down, the officer found drug paraphernalia. Madden consented to a search of a briefcase he was carrying, and the officer found a loaded .45-caliber pistol that had been reported stolen. Madden later admitted to buying the gun from an associate. Madden was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of felony convictions in South Carolina.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Billings Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

XXX

 

BILLINGS — A jury today convicted a Lodge Grass man of sexually abusing two children in the 1990s on the Northern Cheyenne and the Crow Indian reservations, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

A jury found Donald Ray Gardner, 58, guilty on two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and two counts of abusive sexual contact. The two-day trial began on Monday, Oct. 18.

Gardner faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on each count.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters set sentencing for March 2, 2022 and ordered Gardner detained pending further proceedings.

“A jury held Gardner accountable for sexually abusing children over a period of years. Children must be protected from sexual predators, and we will prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law. I want to thank Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek and the FBI for investigating and prosecuting the case,” Acting U.S. Attorney Johnson said.

In court documents and in evidence presented at trial, the government alleged that Gardner engaged in a sexual act and in sexual contact with a victim, identified as Jane Doe 1, in 1994 in Lame Deer, on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. The government further alleged Gardner engaged in a sexual act and in sexual contact with another victim, identified as Jane Doe 2, in the Crow Agency area on the Crow Reservation in 1996 and in 1998. Both victims were under the age of 12 at the time.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.

XXX

 

GREAT FALLS – A Helena woman accused of helping to bring pounds of methamphetamine from Las Vegas, Nevada, into Montana admitted to a drug trafficking crime today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Rhonda Jeanette Lapier, also known as Rhonda Trench, 49, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth. Lapier faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Feb. 16, 2022. Lapier was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that in May, Russell Country Drug Task Force officers executed a search warrant on a Great Falls residence, recovered meth and learned that the source of supply was traveling to Great Falls with meth. The investigation led to Lapier’s residence, where she and the source of supply were suspected of trafficking meth together. Officers ultimately stopped a vehicle being driven by the source of supply and found about 3.6 pounds of meth in the trunk. Officers also obtained a warrant to search Lapier’s residence. When told that officers were looking for illegal contraband in the residence, Lapier volunteered, “We’ll just make this easy, there is something in that house. But it belongs to me and I’ll show you where it’s at.” Officers located three, one-pound bags of meth and $6,132 in a bedroom where Lapier had been staying with another person. Individuals told law enforcement that several people, including Lapier, had gone to Las Vegas to pick up meth, had returned with six pounds and had dropped some of it off at Lapier’s residence. Six pounds of meth is the equivalent of 21,744 doses.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Russell Country Drug Task Force, the Missouri River Drug Task Force, FBI, Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office and Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

 

XXX

 

 

 

 

BILLINGS – Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson will join the Drug Enforcement Administration in support of the 21st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 23. 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.

According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

“The DEA’s Take Back Day is a great opportunity to clear out unneeded and expired prescriptions. Prescription drugs can end up in the wrong hands, fueling an epidemic of opioid deaths and overdoses. I encourage Montanans to help protect their families, friends and community by participating in the DEA Take Back event to safely dispose of unused prescription medications,” Acting U.S. Attorney Johnson said.

“We now face a national epidemic reaching every corner of America.  Prescription medications often end up in the wrong hands, fueling an epidemic that kills more Americans than car accidents,” said DEA Montana Resident Agent in Charge Stacy Zinn-Brittain. “The power to make a difference starts at home, beginning with returning the unused, unwanted or expired medications that each American keeps in their homes.”

More than 40 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 April 24, 2021, 4,425 law enforcement participants at 5,060 collection sites brought in a total weight of 839,543 pounds, or 420 tons, of drugs. This brings the total weight collected to 14.52 million pounds, or more than 7,262 tons, of prescription drugs collected in the history of the program. Collection results may include materials other than prescription drugs.

During the April 24, 2021 event, Montanans turned in 1,380 pounds of prescription drugs at 20 collection sites.

In addition to DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 23, 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 Oct. 23 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com.

XXX

 

 

 

 

 

GREAT FALLS – A Wolf Point man accused of attacking a man in the head with a bat on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation admitted to an assault charge today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Harry B. Azure, 21, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Azure faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Feb. 17, 2022. Azure was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that on Nov. 19, 2019 in Wolf Point, Azure and another individual broke through the door of the residence of the victim, identified as John Doe, struck the victim multiple times in the head with a small baseball bat and left. The victim initially was treated at a local hospital then flown to Billings because of the severity of injuries. The victim later told law enforcement that the assault occurred days after an incident involving the other individual.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy A. Johnson is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Peck Tribal Police.

XXX

 

 

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

Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Oct. 14 was:

Mary Schmidt Monahan, 61, of Missoula, on charges of unlawfully obtaining a controlled substance. If convicted of the most serious crime, Monahan faces a maximum four years in prison, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release. Monahan was released pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-45.

Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Oct. 12 was:

Cody James Meeks 26, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Meeks faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Meeks was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-75.

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

Jeremy John Walston, 36, of Conrad, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm and unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Walston faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Walston was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-66.

Marlina Nannett Martinez, 23, of Wolf Point, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Martinez faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Martinez was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort Peck Law Enforcement Services and Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-25.

Dakota Houle, 25, unknown residence, on charges of assault with intent to commit murder, kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted of the most serious crime, Houle faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Houle was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-59.

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

XXX

 

 

 

 

 

GREAT FALLS – The finance manager of a Great Falls construction company today admitted to fraud in a scheme in which she falsified invoices to steal more than $500,000 from a client for the construction of a residence, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Lynn Bapp Tempel, 60, pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Tempel faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.  A plea agreement filed in the case calls for Tempel to be responsible for complete restitution, which is estimated at $519,524.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Feb. 17, 2022. Tempel was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that Tempel managed the finances of William Tempel Construction, which entered into a contract to build a residence for a client. Beginning in May 2013, subcontractors submitted invoices directly to William Tempel Construction. Tempel provided the client invoices in which she had fraudulently inflated the amount of payment required. William Tempel Construction received approximately $4.41 million from the client for the construction of the residence. The investigation determined that Tempel falsified, altered and inflated about 153 subcontractor invoices.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and the Great Falls Police Department.

XXX

 

GREAT FALLS – A Brockton man accused of beating another person at his home on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation admitted assault charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

James Michael Garcia, 29, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Garcia faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Feb. 9, 2022. Garcia was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that on Aug. 26, 2018, Garcia hit the victim, identified as Jane Doe, after an argument over the phone with a relative of the victim. The victim suffered serious bodily injuries.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared C. Cobell is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Peck Tribal Law Enforcement.

XXX

MISSOULA – A Kalispell man accused of taking sexually explicit photographs of a child while boating on Ashley Lake in Flathead County admitted charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Edward Timothy Cockerham, 43, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child. Cockerham faces a mandatory minimum 15 years to 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for Jan. 27, 2022 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. Cockerham was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that on June 24, Cockerham went to Ashley Lake and was accompanied by two children. Cockerham took the victim, who was under the age of 18 and was identified as Jane Doe 1, boating. While out on the water, Cockerham touched and took sexually explicit pictures of Jane Doe 1. Jane Doe 1 reported Cockerham’s actions. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office seized Cockerham’s cell phone and searched it pursuant to a warrant. An initial review determined Cockerham had deleted all of the images from his cell phone. The sheriff’s office obtained a second search warrant and sent the cell phone to the Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation computer lab. A forensic examiner located sexually explicit images of Jane Doe 1.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

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

XXX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GREAT FALLS — A Helena man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine and to possessing a stolen gun was sentenced today to 10 years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Robert Raymond Fasuga, 38, pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and to possession of a stolen firearm.

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

In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution alleged that on June 14, 2020, Fasuga possessed at least one stolen firearm after he fled from law enforcement, pulled two firearms from his person and pointed them to his head. Officers talked him down, and Fasuga later told agents that he assumed the guns were stolen because he paid $50 for each one. Mountain Man Trading Post in Belgrade was the lawful owner of a .380 pistol recovered from Fasuga. The government also alleged that Fasuga was a meth dealer. During the execution of a federal search warrant on March 24, 2021, agents found about one pound of meth that Fasuga intended to sell and $6,779 in U.S. currency believed to be drug proceeds.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

XXX

 

 

 

 

GREAT FALLS — A Billings man who had absconded from probation and was arrested on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to two years in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release for illegally possessing a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Aaron Leo Ludwig, 30, pleaded guilty in June to felon in possession of a firearm.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on Dec. 22, 2020, law enforcement in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, were looking for Ludwig, who was wanted on a probation hold, and located him at a residence. A female at the residence asked officers if she could get a jacket for Ludwig because of the cold weather, and Ludwig had asked her for a particular jacket. When the female picked up the jacket, she paused and then pulled a gun out of a pocket in the presence of officers. Ludwig looked up at the ceiling. Ludwig initially declined to say how he got the firearm, identified as a 9mm pistol that had been reported stolen in Billings in May 2020. Ludwig later stated the gun was his and that it was “hot.” Ludwig had previous felony convictions, including for a drug offense and for partner or family member assault, and was prohibited from possessing firearms.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office and Billings Police Department.

XXX

 

 

GREAT FALLS – A Havre man admitted to drug trafficking and firearms crimes today after law enforcement found methamphetamine, fentanyl, a gun and a large amount of cash in his Havre motel room, said Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson.

Brandon Wayne Glover, 38, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and to felon in possession of a firearm. Glover faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug crime.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Glover was detained pending further proceedings. Sentencing was set for Feb. 3, 2022.

The government alleged in court documents that in 2014, Glover was convicted in federal court of possession with intent to distribute meth. In November 2020, law enforcement received information that Glover was distributing meth in Havre, and an informant bought about a half-ounce of meth from Glover at a Havre casino. In December 2020, officers coordinated a stop of Glover’s vehicle and arrested Glover on a warrant based on supervised release violations in his prior federal meth trafficking case. Agents then went to the motel where Glover had been staying, secured his room and applied for a search warrant. In the meantime, agents received recorded jail calls Glover had with his mother after his arrest. In the calls, Glover asked his mother for help retrieving items from the room where he had been staying and specifically asked her to look under the bed. Glover’s mother went to the motel room and was turned away. Agents executed a search warrant for the motel room and found 420 grams, or almost a pound, of meth, a firearm, drug paraphernalia, and fentanyl pills. Agents also found about $12,100 in cash under the bed.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Havre Police Department and the Tri-Agency Task Force.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

XXX

GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls man who admitted to sending child pornography videos to an undercover agent in an online chat room was sentenced today to 12 years and six months in prison to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Joshua Nathan Stillman, 46, pleaded guilty in June to distribution of child pornography.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that in November and December 2020, an undercover FBI agent was in an online chat room on an application available to cell phone users. On Nov. 23, 2020, a user in that chat room distributed two videos depicting child pornography to the undercover agent. An investigation determined that Stillman was the user who distributed the videos to the agent, and Stillman admitted that he distributed the videos in the chat room. A search warrant was executed on Stillman’s residence, and law enforcement seized and analyzed Stillman’s cell phone. Stillman’s cell phone contained more than 300 images and videos depicting child pornography.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the FBI and Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation.

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

XXX

 

 

 

BILLINGS — A Billings man who was arrested during a disturbance and who admitted to illegally possessing a firearm while having been charged with two felonies was sentenced today to 30 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Joseph Daniel Boggio, 41, pleaded guilty on May 6, 2021, to illegal receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment.

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

In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that in January 2020 and again in May 2020, Boggio was charged with two separate felonies of driving while under the influence. Boggio signed his conditions of release, which stated that he “may not possess a firearm, destructive device or other dangerous weapon.” In October 2020, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a disturbance at a Billings residence and found an individual holding down Boggio. Both Boggio and the individual had blood on them. Boggio was arrested and taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Investigators learned from witnesses that Boggio had sent the individual and other occupants threatening messages, had come to the residence, and started fighting with the individual. Boggio was under the influence and threatening to shoot people as he reached behind his back. Another person saw a gun protruding from Boggio’s pants waistband, grabbed it, and secured it in another room. The owner of the firearm advised law enforcement that Boggio had taken the gun without her permission or knowledge. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

XXX

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

Appearing in Missoula before Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris and pleading not guilty on Oct. 4 was:

Joseph Daniel Fox, 29, of Kalispell, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, possession with intent to distribute meth and heroin and possession of a firearm by a user or addict. If convicted of the most serious crime, Fox faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years to life of supervised release. Fox was detained pending further proceedings. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-44.

Appearing in Missoula for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto on Oct. 7 was:

Carlos Guatimea Aguirre, 35, of Fresno, California and Missoula, on charges of prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Aguirre faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Aguirre was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Missoula Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-100.

Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Oct. 5 was:

Brittany Michele Darnell, 30, of Great Falls, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Darnell faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the fraud counts and a mandatory minimum two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release consecutive to any other sentence. Darnell was released pending further proceedings. The FBI and Great Falls Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-58.

Mickey James Buchholz, 35, of Great Falls, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Buchholz faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the fraud counts and a mandatory minimum two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release consecutive to any other sentence. Buchholz was released pending further proceedings. The FBI and Great Falls Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-58.

Michael James Burke, 42, of Browning, on charges of aggravated sex abuse of a child and abusive sexual contact. If convicted of the most serious crime, Burke faces a maximum life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Burke was released with conditions, including home detention, pending further proceedings. The FBI and the Fort Peck Tribe investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-62.

Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Oct. 5 was:

Amanda Christine Brown, 33, a transient, 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, Brown faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Brown was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-25.

Appearing on Oct. 7 was:

Karrie Lynn Madill, 51, 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, Madill faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Madill was released pending further proceedings. The FBI’s Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-74.

Appearing on Oct. 8 for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint was:

Anthony Ray Morgan, 32, of Billings, on charges of possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Morgan faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Morgan was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-61.

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

XXX

 

 

 

BILLINGS – Signal Peak Energy, LLC, which operates an underground coal mine near Roundup, today admitted to criminal charges that it willfully violated health and safety standards and has agreed to pay a $1 million fine as part of proposed plea agreement, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Signal Peak Energy, through a representative, pleaded guilty during an initial appearance and plea hearing to an information charging it with four counts of willful violation of a health and safety standard, a misdemeanor. The maximum penalty is a $250,000 fine.

A plea agreement recommends that a criminal fine of $250,000 for each count of conviction, for a total fine of $1 million, is the appropriate disposition of the case. The parties further agree that a sentence of probation is appropriate. If the court accepts the plea agreement, the company does not have an automatic right to withdraw its guilty pleas. If the court rejects the plea agreement, the company can withdraw its guilty pleas and proceed to trial.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters has not yet been set.

“Signal Peak’s conduct showed a blatant and callous disregard for its own workers’ health and safety and for protecting the environment. Companies that habitually and willfully violate regulations will be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” Acting U.S. Attorney Johnson said.

The Signal Peak Energy prosecution is part of a broad corruption investigation into mine management and operations that resulted in not only worker safety and environmental misdemeanor convictions, but also in individual convictions and charges for some former mine officials and associates for embezzlement, tax evasion, bank fraud, money laundering, drugs and firearms violations.

Individual convictions of former mine officials included Larry Wayne Price, Jr., former vice president of surface operations, who was sentenced to prison for defrauding companies of $20 million; and Zachary Ruble, former surface mine manager, who was sentenced to probation for conspiring to defraud Signal Peak Energy of $2.3 million.

A third former mine official, Dale Lee Musgrave, former vice president of underground operations, has pleaded not guilty to an indictment alleging cocaine trafficking and false statements in mine records and is pending trial.

Associated individual cases include Stephen P. Casher, a former Rocky Mountain Bank loan officer, who was sentenced to prison and fined on bank fraud and money laundering charges for a loan scheme involving Larry Price Jr.; James and Timilynn Kisling, owners of Kisling Quality Builders, who were sentenced to probation and fined for conviction of tax evasion in a scheme involving the construction of Larry Price Jr.’s Billings residence; Mark Luciano, a Nevada resident who was sentenced to prison for conviction on trafficking cocaine; and Todd Alan Irwin, a secretary to Larry Price, Jr., who was sentenced to probation for conviction of felon in possession of firearms.

Robert Wayne Ramsey, owner of Peters Equipment Company, has been charged by an information with wire fraud in an alleged equipment sale scheme involving Signal Peak Energy and is pending arraignment.

In the Signal Peak Energy case, the government alleged in court documents that from 2013 through 2018, Signal Peak Energy habitually violated mandatory health and safety standards in the Mine Safety and Health Act during the mine’s operation. These violations included both environmental safety and worker safety standards. These violations also occurred with the full knowledge, direction and participation of the mine’s most senior management during that period, including the president and CEO, the vice president of surface operations, the vice president of underground operations and the safety manager.

The government further alleged that during the summer of 2013, Signal Peak Energy’s senior managers directed mine employees to improperly dispose of mine waste by pumping the waste into abandoned sections of the mine. This waste, known as “slurry,” consisted of wastewater, industrial chemicals used in the mining process and unprocessed soil containing heavy metals, including arsenic and lead over groundwater tolerances. Mine employees pumped this slurry into the abandoned section of the mine for about two weeks, until the section was full. Disposing mine waste in this manner required approval of both the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which Signal Peak Energy did not obtain.

In the spring of 2015, the government alleged, Signal Peak Energy agents commissioned the drilling of two bore holes through the ground that led to another abandoned section of the mine. Senior mine managers directed employees to pump more slurry into the abandoned section through the bore holes. This slurry was similar to the slurry improperly disposed of in 2013. Estimates vary, but this pumping occurred for up to six weeks. The pumping stopped after a witness discovered that seals between the abandoned mine works and the operating mine had been breached, causing flooding in the areas of the operating mine. Signal Peak Energy obtained a permit to inject water into the ground through the bore holes, but this permit did not allow for the disposal of slurry waste.

In January 2018, Signal Peak Energy failed to report as required the injury of an employee, identified as John Doe 1, who was working at the mine when his finger was crushed and required amputation. Doe 1 was moving large mining equipment as part of his duties when some of this equipment fell onto his hand. Doe 1met with the safety manager, who began driving him to the hospital for medical treatment. On the way, Doe 1 had a telephone conversation with the vice president of underground operations. The vice president of underground operations pressured Doe 1 not to report the injury as work related and said that he would make it worthwhile for Doe 1. The safety manager witnessed this but did not intervene. The safety manager then dropped off Doe 1 at the hospital rather than accompanying him inside pursuant to mine policy. Doe 1 falsely stated that the injury had occurred at home and was not work related. When Doe 1 returned to work sometime later, the vice president of underground operations gave Doe 1 an envelope containing $2,000.

In May 2018, Signal Peak Energy again failed to report an injury as mandated. An employee, identified as John Doe 2, was working in the underground portion of the mine when rock sluffed off the wall and onto Doe 2’s head, causing a severe laceration. The shift manager immediately called the safety manager. The safety manager met Doe 2 and drove Doe 2 away from the mine with the stated intention to take Doe 2 to the hospital. Instead, the safety manager drove Doe 2 home. Doe 2 waited until the next morning to seek medical attention and falsely stated the injury had been caused by a shelf falling on his head in the garage of his home. Doctors treated the laceration and Doe 2 returned to work for his next scheduled shift. Doe 2 was unable to complete the shift or several of the following shifts because of his injuries. Doe 2’s lost time was charged against his vacation leave without his approval.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin M. Rubich, Zeno B. Baucus and Timothy Tatarka are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the IRS, FBI and Environmental Protection Agency.

PACER case reference. 21-79.

XXX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GREAT FALLS — A Cut Bank man convicted of strangling and assaulting a woman on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced on Wednesday to 42 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said today.

Gordon Lee Connelly, 20, pleaded guilty in June to strangulation, assault resulting in substantial bodily injury and interstate violation of a protection order.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris also ordered $1,800 restitution.

In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that on Feb. 16, Connelly strangled and assaulted the victim, identified as Jane Doe, near Cut Bank, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, causing her substantial injuries. The government further alleged that on March 25, Connelly traveled from the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in order to violate a portion of a protection order that prohibits violence, threats and communication with another person.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.

XXX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BILLINGS — A Lodge Grass man who admitted to shooting and wounding a pedestrian from his vehicle in Crow Agency was sentenced today to seven years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Fabian Cruz Dawes, 31, pleaded guilty in May to an information charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon.

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

In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that on April 7, Dawes was parked in a car near a convenience store in Crow Agency, on the Crow Indian Reservation.  Dawes then pulled up alongside of the victim, identified as John Doe, who was walking with another person, and had a short conversation. Dawes fired a single 9mm bullet at Doe, striking him in the leg, and drove away at a high rate of speed. Doe was treated for injuries at the Indian Health Services.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and FBI.

XXX

 

 

 

 

 

 

GREAT FALLS -- A man who admitted beating his dating partner on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and causing her substantial injuries was sentenced today to 18 months in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Gordon Andrew Messerly, Jr., 43, address unknown, pleaded guilty in June to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on Dec. 27, 2019 on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Messerly assaulted his dating partner, identified as Jane Doe, by striking her in the head. Doe was treated for injuries at the hospital.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared C. Cobell prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement.

XXX

 

BILLINGS — An Ashland man who admitted to assaulting a man, causing multiple head injuries while brandishing a rifle on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, was sentenced today to 48 months imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Channing Lee Ziler, 34, pleaded guilty in April to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

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

In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that on Dec. 31, 2017, Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officers responded to a 911 call at a residence in Ashland, on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, where people were drinking, including Ziler. Witnesses described Ziler as being violent that night. The victim, identified as John Doe, arrived at the residence with other individuals. Witnesses described Ziler as holding a rifle when Doe arrived and saying, “this looks like someone I can slap around.” Ziler assaulted Doe, resulting in multiple head lacerations.

Ziler took Doe’s truck and left with Doe and another person. Law enforcement received another 911 call that the truck had run out of gas and that the occupants had set it on fire to stay warm in below zero temperatures. Ziler left the scene with the other individual, and law enforcement found Doe by the truck. Doe was taken to a Billings hospital for treatment of injuries.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan T. Dake prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

XXX

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

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

Michael Wayne Divis, 58, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious charges, Divis faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Divis was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI’s Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case.  PACER case reference. 21-60.

Aspen Renee Newbreast, 24, a transient, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Newbreast faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug counts and a mandatory minimum five years to life consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm count. Newbreast was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI’s Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case.  PACER case reference. 20-35.

Appearing on Sept. 28 was:

Dawan Deonte Jones, 30, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Jones faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Jones was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-55.

Joshua Paul Jordan, 28, of Billings, on charges of accessing with intent to view child pornography. If convicted of the most serious crime, Jordan faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Jordan was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and U.S. Postal Service investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-72.

Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston on a criminal complaint on Sept. 28 was:

Moises Zamora, 37, of Box Elder, on charges of assault with intent to commit murder and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted of the most serious crime, Zamora faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Zamora was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Rocky Boy’s Police Department and Hill County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-64.

Appearing on an indictment was:

Hiram Wayne Evans, 38, of Great Falls, on charges of failure to register as a sex offender. If convicted of the most serious crime, Evans faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years to life of supervised release.  Evans was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-67.

Grant James Lockhart, 50, of Great Falls, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lockhart faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Lockhart was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Great Falls Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-46.

Appearing on an indictment on Sept. 30 was:

Maynard Wayne Bigleggins, 24, of Wolf Point, on charges of sexual assault of a minor and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance to a person under 21 years of age. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bigleggins faces a mandatory minimum one year to 40 years in prison, a $2 million fine and at least six years of supervised release. Bigleggins was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-44.

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

XXX

 

 

GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls man who admitted to distributing methamphetamine in the community after law enforcement stopped him on his way back from Missoula and found about a half pound of meth in the vehicle was sentenced today to six years and six months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

John Deacon Gundlach, 35, pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute meth.

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

The government alleged in court documents that in May 2020, the Russell Country Drug Task Force received information that Gundlach was distributing meth. Investigators also learned on June 1,2020 that Gundlach was leaving Great Falls to pick up a load of meth, had been in Missoula and was returning to Great Falls. Officers stopped a Chevrolet Tahoe in which Gundlach was a passenger. Gundlach admitted he got meth in Missoula and that it was on floor of the vehicle. Law enforcement found the bag of meth and an analysis determined it contained about 269 grams of meth, or more than half a pound.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Russell Country Drug Task Force and the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

 

XXX

 

 

GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls woman who admitted to dealing methamphetamine and heroin in the community was sentenced today to 38 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Tammy Lynn Lapie, 56, pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

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

The government alleged in court documents that in September 2020, the Russell Country Drug Task Force received information that Lapie was dealing methamphetamine and heroin. During a search of Lapie’s house, officers found both drugs. Officers also seized and searched Lapie’s cell phone and confirmed her involvement in dealing drugs. In February 2021, law enforcement intercepted a package of heroin that Lapie was expecting in the mail and delivered it to Lapie, who took custody of it. Lapie admitted to law enforcement that she sold heroin to a small group of individuals in the community.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Russell Country Drug Task Force.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

 

 

XXX

 

 

GREAT FALLS — A former Montana man, currently of Arizona, who admitted to coercing minor girls in Montana to send him sexually explicit images of themselves through the internet and to receiving child pornography was sentenced today to 19 years in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Joshua Dean Fish, 27, formerly of Helena and currently of Gilbert, Arizona, pleaded guilty on June 9 to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and to receipt of child pornography.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Restitution is pending a later hearing.

“Fish communicated directly with children through the internet to coerce them into sending him sexually explicit images of themselves. Many parents and guardians have little ability to monitor these kinds of communications.  Anyone who exploits children in this way is an extreme danger to our children and a substantial threat to the community and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  I want to thank Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson and the investigative agencies in Montana and Arizona for their work on this case,” Acting U.S. Attorney Johnson said.

The government alleged in court documents and in statements in court that in January 2020, the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office received a report of online sexually explicit activity involving two children, who were under the age of 18. An investigation identified Fish as offering to pay for the sexually explicit images. Prior to mid-2018, Fish resided in Montana. The two Montana child victims, one in Butte and another in Helena, reported that an online user promised monetary digital payments in exchange for nude images that would be sent through the internet. Both child victims sent Fish sexually explicit images of themselves.

The government further alleged that an investigation by Arizona law enforcement into a Cybertip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children involving sending and receiving child pornography through a social media application led to Fish. In June 2020, law enforcement searched Fish’s residence. Fish admitted to law enforcement that he paid minor girls for nude images, which were sent to him online, and to possessing numerous hard drives containing child pornography. An examination of digital devices seized during the search found hundreds of thousands of images and video files of child pornography.  The examiner determined that Fish received many of these files while living in Montana from 2012 to 2018.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Gilbert (Arizona) Police Department.

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

 

  

XXX

 

 

 

 

 

MISSOULA — A Butte man who admitted to conspiring with others to traffic pounds of methamphetamine in the community was sentenced today to four years and six months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Charles David Clement, 36, pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth.

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

The government alleged in court documents that law enforcement learned Clement was trafficking drugs with others in Montana. In March 2019, officers searched a package that contained 1,579 grams, or about 3.4 pounds, of meth and was addressed to an individual in Butte. The individual was enlisted to accept the package of meth for Clement. The investigation found numerous text messages, including messages about drug distribution, between Clement and the individual accepting the package. Clement paid for the drugs he received by sending cash payments back to Bakersfield, California, including $12,000 in cash that law enforcement seized.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Butte Silver Bow Law Enforcement, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

XXX

 

 

MISSOULA — A Butte drug dealer who admitted to receiving 10 pounds of methamphetamine in two shipments for distribution in the community was sentenced today four years and six months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

David Ray Shaver, 34, pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth.

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

In court documents in the case, the government alleged that law enforcement learned Shaver was involved in drug trafficking in Montana and was accepting packages of meth through the mail for distribution. When interviewed, Shaver admitted to purchasing meth for $6,000 a pound. Shaver told investigators he accepted one package containing six pounds of meth in December 2018 and another package containing four pounds of meth in January 2019. Shaver worked with other co-conspirators to distribute meth from about August 2018 until February 2019. Ten pounds of meth is the equivalent of 36,240 doses.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

XXX

 

 

MISSOULA — A Butte man who admitted to accepting packages of methamphetamine in the mail for redistribution after investigators seized a 10-pound shipment destined for his residence was sentenced today to five years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Steven Douglas Shipe, 52, pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Shipe was allowed to self-surrender.

The government alleged in court documents that law enforcement learned Shipe was involved in drug trafficking in Montana and purchased about one ounce of meth from Shipe in June 2019. Law enforcement also learned that Shipe was receiving packages of meth in the mail. Investigators recovered a package containing approximately 10 pounds of meth that was addressed to Shipe’s residence in Butte. Ten pounds of meth is the equivalent of 36,240 doses. The drugs were intercepted in Bakersfield, California, and the shipping label indicated that the parcel was sent by another individual in that city. In addition, Shipe used local co-conspirators to help with meth deals. Local co-conspirators would bring prospective buyers to Shipe’s house to complete the transactions.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Service.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

XXX

 

GREAT FALLS – A Mississippi man accused of breaking into a residence on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and threatening individuals admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Dejarreh La’Kean Talley, also known as “DJ” Talley, 23, of Philadelphia, Mississippi, pleaded guilty to burglary. Talley faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $50,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Dec. 30. Talley was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that at about 5:30 a.m. on June 30, 2020, law enforcement responded to a 911 call that someone had kicked in the door of a Poplar residence, on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. An individual at the residence reported that Talley had kicked in a door, held a baseball bat in his hands, punched the individual in the face and threatened others. Law enforcement interviewed Talley, who admitted to kicking in the door but denied having a bat, striking the individual and threatening anyone.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Peck Law Enforcement.

XXX

 

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

Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Sept. 23 was:

Joshua Robert Ludtke, 39, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ludtke faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Ludtke was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-73.

Terrence Michael Seadeer, 44, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Seadeer faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Seadeer was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-65.

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

Taylor Wind Set, 65, of Ennis, on charges of prohibited person in possession of firearms. If convicted of the most serious crime, Wind Set faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Wind Set was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Forest Service investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-28.

Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Sept. 20 was:

Joshua Julius Bartman, 40, of Great Falls, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bartman faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Bartman was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Great Falls Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-43.

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

XXX

 

 

 

BILLINGS — a Roundup man who admitted defrauding banks in Billings using stolen checks and stolen identities was sentenced on Wednesday, Sept. 22, to 30 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Tucker James McCune, 27, pleaded guilty on April 30 to bank fraud and to aggravated identify theft.

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

The government alleged in court documents that McCune was involved in a scheme to defraud local banks and credit unions by passing stolen and forged checks using stolen identity. On Feb. 18, McCune cashed a stolen check belonging to a victim, identified as John Doe 1, at Western Security Bank. The check had been forged as payable to a victim identified as John Doe 2. McCune had obtained the stolen California driver’s license of John Doe 2 and presented it to the teller to trick the teller into believing he was John Doe 2. The deception was successful, and McCune left with the money.  Two days later, McCune successfully cashed another stolen and forged check at Valley Credit Union using John Doe 2’s stolen driver’s license.  In another attempt to cash a stolen check at Western Security Bank, bank officials called the police, who detained McCune. Police learned that McCune was on state probation and notified his probation officer, who instructed the officer to search McCune’s car. The search located stolen identifications, stolen checks, 15 cell phones, stolen documents containing personal identifying information, syringes loaded with methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia. McCune told law enforcement that most of the stolen documents and checks found in his vehicle were probably stolen out of the mail and that he knew a lot of people who stole mail. McCune also told law enforcement he obtained the personal documents and checks from those people.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Billings Police Department.

XXX

 

GREAT FALLS – A Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation resident accused of helping a Michigan fentanyl supplier distribute pills from his Box Elder residence admitted a trafficking crime today, Acting U.S Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Larry Albert Bernard, 37, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Bernard faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and at least three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Jan. 20, 2022. Bernard was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that in the fall of 2020, the FBI received reports that Bernard was housing and helping an out-of-state fentanyl supplier. Other FBI sources reported buying various illegal pills at Bernard’s residence. In December 2020, the FBI executed a search warrant on Bernard’s residence after receiving information that a supplier was at the residence with pills. Bernard and an individual from Michigan were present, and officers found a bag containing pills.

Bernard admitted to housing at least one out-of-state fentanyl supplier in exchange for cash and pills. He also admitted to helping that supplier connect with local users and buyers of fentanyl and said that the bag of pills located in his residence belonged to the supplier.

In an analysis of the bag of pills, the Drug Enforcement Administration identified multiple types of pills. The largest group contained two types of controlled substances: fentanyl and para-Fluorofentanyl, which is a fentanyl analogue. Another group of pills contained two controlled substances: fentanyl and methamphetamine. The smallest group contained fentanyl and no other controlled substances.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Tri Agency Task Force, Chippewa Cree Law enforcement and Bureau of Indian Affairs.

XXX

 

 

 

 

 

 

BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted to being a member of group that passed forged checks at various businesses across Montana was sentenced today to 39 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Lawrence Howard Kahle, 54, pleaded guilty on June 11 to wire fraud and to aggravated identity theft.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Judge Christensen also ordered Kahle to pay $1,548 restitution.

“This defendant committed serious crimes and victimized numerous people,” said Billings Police Chief Rich St. John. “Detectives from the BPD, working with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, worked very hard to help bring justice to the victims.  Hopefully, this sentence will bring them closure and send a strong message to others considering the same behavior.”

The government alleged in court documents that in 2020, Kahle was a member of a group that passed forged and counterfeited checks at businesses across Montana. Members of the group would receive stolen checks, identification or paperwork with personal identifying information, usually through mail thefts, burglaries and car thefts. The stolen documents would be used to forge checks and produce fraudulent identifications.  Members would then take the forged checks and pass them at businesses. Kahle confessed to passing some of the checks, including a fraudulent check at the Tap Inn in Billings on Oct. 19, 2020.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Billings Police Department.

XXX

 

GREAT FALLS – A Box Elder man admitted today to dealing fentanyl pills on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Timothy Michael Koop, 61, pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl. Koop faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and at least three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Jan. 20,2022. Koop was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that the FBI learned from interviews that Koop was a local distributor of fentanyl and other illegal pills on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation and worked with out-of-state suppliers. In May and June, law enforcement used confidential sources to make controlled purchases of fentanyl from Koop or arranged to obtain the pills through Koop. Co-defendant Kelli Lamere has pleaded not guilty to charges. Officers obtained a search warrant for the Koop and Lamere residence based on information that an out-of-state supplier was present. When the warrant was executed, officer found Lamere and an individual from Michigan. Koop was located elsewhere and brought back to the residence. Koop told law enforcement that the Michigan individual was distributing fentanyl and claimed the person was paying him and Lamere in pills to stay at the residence. Officers found an Aleve brand pill bottle in the residence. An analysis determined the bottle contained 179 tablets, imprinted with “Aleve,” one of which was tested and determine to contain no controlled substance. The bottle also contained 258 greenish-yellow tablets imprinted with an “M” on one side and a “30” on the other. One of those tablets was tested and determined to contain fentanyl and two other substances.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Tri Agency Task Force, Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement and Bureau of Indian Affairs.

XXX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BILLINGS — The leader of a fraudulent check scheme in which recruits would steal items with personal information from homes, vehicles and mail boxes to help pass bogus checks across Montana was sentenced on Tuesday to 44 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said today.

Cassie Ann Rathie, 32, of Billings, pleaded guilty in April to wire fraud and to aggravated identity theft.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Rathie was allowed to self report to prison.

“Rathie recruited local drug addicts to burglarize houses, automobiles, and mail boxes and steal mail and other materials so she could fraudulently cash checks using the victim’s stolen identification.  They stole and converted amounts that they knew would not attract the attention of local law enforcement.  This type of criminal behavior exploits the fringes of our justice system.  It is dangerous enough to get someone killed, yet it is not serious enough to warrant significant local incarceration.  Fortunately, the misuse of personal identification can be prosecuted under federal law resulting in mandatory terms of incarceration.  This case and others like it are a significant innovation in our battle against violent crime in Yellowstone County and elsewhere in Montana.  I want to thank Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich, the Billings Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security for investigating and prosecuting this case,” Acting U.S. Attorney Johnson said.

The government alleged in court documents that from November 2019 until about May 2020, Rathie conducted a campaign to steal checks and personal identifying information to commit fraud using fake checks in Billings and throughout the state. Rathie instructed others to break into houses, vehicles and mail boxes to get checks and other items with personal identifying information. Other addicts knew Rathie was interested in materials and would either sell or give her the documents they stole. During this period, Rathie stole a box from a Billings hotel containing documents with personal identifying information from at least 39 people.

After obtaining a stolen check, Rathie altered it by replacing the original name on the check with one of the names from the identities she had stolen from the hotel or elsewhere. Rathie would then create a fake driver’s license with the stolen person’s name. The fake license would have Rathie’s image or the image of an associate. Rathie or an associate would then pass the check at local businesses and use it to buy gift cards or high value items. Rathie would give individuals who stole the materials a cut of the proceeds. Surveillance video recorded Rathie passing some of the fake checks. In a search of her residence, officers found a large trove of fake identities, stolen documentation, computer, printers and stolen checks. The loss calculated from checks passed by Rathie was $17,609.

Two co-defendants also convicted, Taylor Thomas Nelson and Quinn Henry Jessen, are pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Billings Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security.

XXX

 

GREAT FALLS – A Babb woman accused of receiving nearly one pound of methamphetamine mailed to Babb, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, admitted to a drug trafficking crime today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Regina Ann Peters, 51, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth. Peters faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Jan. 20, 2022. Peters was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that in October 2020, law enforcement received information about a package of methamphetamine mailed to Peters in Babb from Arizona. Officers made a controlled delivery of the package at the Babb post office, and Peters picked up the package. Officers approached Peters outside of the post office and explained their suspicions. Peters agreed to open the package and admitted it contained meth. Peters admitted to knowing about the meth in the package when she went to pick it up and that she had planned to deliver it to another person in Montana. The package contained about 438 grams of meth, or a little less than one pound. One pound is the equivalent of 3,624 doses.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, United States Postal Inspection Service, the Russell Country Drug Task Force, the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force, and Montana Highway Patrol.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

XXX

MISSOULA — A Missoula man who admitted dealing large quantities of methamphetamine in the community was sentenced today to 15 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Terry David Starrett, 54, pleaded guilty on May 11 to possession with intent to distribute as charged in a superseding information.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on Jan. 7, law enforcement served a search warrant and recovered more than five pounds of meth from Starrett’s rental property and his vehicle. Five pounds of meth is the equivalent of about 18,120 individual doses. Starrett also sold an undercover informant two ounces of meth in December 2020 and trafficked meth from Washington to Montana once or twice a week. In the fall of 2020, Starrett and another individual traveled to California and returned to Missoula with pounds of meth. Co-defendants Laura Jeanne Haacke and Jennifer Renee Hawkes were sentenced to 54 months and to 63 months in prison respectively for their roles in the offense. A third co-defendant, Jason Dean Hager, has pleaded guilty is pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force, the Missoula Police Department and the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

XXX

 

 

GREAT FALLS – A Helena pawn and consignment shop operator accused of lying about gun sales and failing to keep proper records today admitted firearms crimes, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Catherine Suzanne Morsette, 38, of Boulder, and who is the federal firearms licensee for Modern Pawn & Consignment, pleaded guilty to two counts of false statement during a firearms transaction and to failure to keep proper records. A plea agreement calls for three other counts in an indictment to be dismissed at sentencing if the court accepts the agreement. Morsette faces a maximum five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years in prison.

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Jan. 13, 2022. Morsette was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that Morsette is the federal firearms licensee for Modern Pawn & Consignment, Inc., 1330 North Montana Ave., in Helena. During an undercover investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a man and a woman went to the business where the man looked at a Beretta 9mm pistol on April 14. The man let Morsette know that he was not a Montana resident and showed his out-of-state driver’s license. Morsette told the man that the woman should fill out the ATF form because she could not sell that firearm to him. The woman completed the form as instructed and purchased the Beretta 9mm pistol for the man. Morsette then sold the man a Smith and Wesson .45-caliber pistol after she called co-defendant, Isaiah Morsette, to confirm that the .45-caliber gun was not in the store’s system. During the transaction, Morsette told the man and woman that the shop was hers and she was the boss but that her husband handled the gun stuff for her. Isaiah Morsette has pleaded not guilty to charges.

The government alleged Catherine Morsette knowingly made a false statement stating that the named purchaser of the Beretta 9mm pistol was the actual buyer, the woman, when in fact she knew the actual buyer of the firearm was the man. In addition, Catherine Morsette willfully sold and delivered a Smith and Wesson .45-caliber pistol without noting the name of the purchaser in her records as required.

The government further alleged that on April 29, a man, identified as #3, bought a Ruger .44 magnum revolver for a man identified as #2. Man #2 went to the pawn shop and interacted with Catherine Morsette, who called Isaiah Morsette for prices. After Man #3 arrived, Man #2 told Catherine Morsette that, “we’ll buy the firearm.”  Catherine Morsette told Man #3 that he had to pay, “I don’t care how you leave the store with it, but he has to pay for it.” Catherine Morsette and Man #3 then filled out the paperwork for the revolver. Catherine Morsette knowingly made a false statement by stating the named purchaser of the revolver was the actual purchaser, Man #3, when in fact she knew the actual purchaser was Man #2.

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

XXX

GREAT FALLS – A Browning man accused of being a methamphetamine dealer on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation admitted to a trafficking crime today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Steven Roy DeCarlo, 31, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. DeCarlo faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Jan. 13. DeCarlo was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that law enforcement had several encounters with DeCarlo in 2020, including responding on July 31, 2020 to a report of gunshots in a field on the reservation. Officers saw two vehicles at the scene, one of which drove away. DeCarlo was in his vehicle, which remained. During a consent search of the vehicle and DeCarlo, officers found drug paraphernalia and $500. Meanwhile, the second vehicle, driven by a person identified as Jane Doe, returned. Officers executed a search warrant on that vehicle and found $1,500 and meth.

DeCarlo told investigators that he and Jane Doe were involved in getting meth, which Jane Doe had been distributing. DeCarlo told officers he had financed multiple purchases of meth that Jane Doe had made with the supplier. DeCarlo later admitted to personally bringing a pound of meth from out of state to the reservation for distribution. A pound of meth is the equivalent of 3,624 doses.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

XXX

Note: A trial exhibit of dashcam video of chase can be viewed here.  

BILLINGS — A federal jury convicted a Lame Deer man today of multiple assault and firearms crimes after he led law enforcement on a high-speed chase on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation and was wounded in a shootout when he shot at officers, who returned fire, said Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson.

The jury found Antoine Robert Threefingers, 37, guilty of assault on a federal officer, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Threefingers faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the assault on federal officer crime and a mandatory minimum of ten years to life imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence on possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

The five-day trial began on Sept. 13.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters set sentencing for February 10, 2022 and ordered Threefingers detained.

“The jury rightly rejected Mr. Threefinger’s defense that he was not responsible because he had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Officers’ dashcam video captured a harrowing, high-speed chase of up to 120 mph on a highway and on dirt roads that ended in a shootout. It’s a miracle that nobody got killed. I want to thank all of the federal and state law enforcement officers who placed themselves directly in harm’s way and took extraordinary steps to protect the public by safely ending this incident.  I also want to thank the entire trial team for putting forward a compelling case against Threefingers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Johnson.

“Thankfully, no officers or innocent bystanders were hurt when Antoine Threefingers made such a reckless and violent attempt to evade the law, but he will now face the consequences for his crimes,” said Dennis Rice, Special Agent in Charge of the Salt Lake City FBI.  “The officers involved put their lives on the line.  Rest assured, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will make every effort to keep our communities safe from those who have a blatant disregard for human life.” 

In court documents and at trial, the government presented evidence alleging that on Sept. 1, 2020, Threefingers was involved in a high-speed chase on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation that ended in shootout with law enforcement officers in a field near Birney. A Bureau of Indian Affairs police officer, identified as John Doe 1, attempted a routine traffic stop of Threefingers. Threefingers stopped initially but then fled as Doe 1 approached, engaging officers in a pursuit in which speeds exceeded 100 miles per hour and lasted about 20 minutes. Four more officers, including three BIA officers and a Rosebud County Sheriff’s deputy, joined the chase.

As he was driving, Threefingers pulled out a gun and put it to his head before turning the gun on law enforcement. Threefingers pointed his gun out the window, fired a shot at Doe 1 and continued driving. Threefingers eventually led law enforcement to a dirt road near Birney, where he stopped his vehicle and exchanged gunfire with Doe 1. Another BIA officer later exchanged gun fire with Threefingers. Other officers nearby described Threefingers’ shots sailing over their heads but did not fire at Threefingers.

Threefingers attempted to run from his car while continuing to shoot at law enforcement. Officers shot Threefingers, who fell to the ground and continued firing at law enforcement. Threefingers shot at Doe 1, hitting his windshield with a bullet less than a foot from the officer’s head. The officers approached Threefingers, detained him and administered medical care. He was transported to the hospital. Law enforcement recovered a Colt .45-caliber pistol on the ground near Threefingers. Multiple .45-caliber casings were recovered near Threefingers and from his car.  Several rounds of .45 ammunition were also found in his car.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan T. Dake and Benjamin D. Hargrove are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.

 

XXX

 

 

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

Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Sept. 16 was:

Laymond Perry Brien, 38, of Lame Deer, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. If convicted of the most serious crime, Brien faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. Brien was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-58.

Amber Dawn Godijohn, 39, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Godijohn faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the fraud crimes and two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release consecutive to any other sentence. Godijohn was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Secret Service and the Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-23.

Appearing on Sept. 14 was:

Benito Craig Castro, 32, Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Castro faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Castro was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-59.

Appearing on Sept. 13 was:

Tirell Lewis, 40, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lewis faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Lewis was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-46.

Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Sept. 13 was:

Leon Houle, 47, of Box Elder, on charges of assault with intent to commit murder, kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted of the most serious crime, Houle faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Houle was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-60.

Tabitha Gopher, 23, unknown hometown, on charges of assault to commit murder, kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted of the most serious crime, Gopher faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Gopher was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-61.

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

XXX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MISSOULA – A Hungry Horse woman accused of distributing pounds of methamphetamine in the Flathead Valley for about a year admitted a trafficking crime today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Kalynn Marie Moskaloff, 25, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth. Moskaloff faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.

U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. Sentencing was set for Jan. 21, 2022. Moskaloff was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that law enforcement investigators learned that Moskaloff was involved in distributing meth in Flathead County. Several witnesses told law enforcement that they worked with Moskaloff to distribute about two pounds of meth per month for approximately one year between May 2019 and May 2020. Moskaloff bought two to three pounds of meth at a time from one of the witnesses, who estimated their meth distribution totaled about 24 pounds of the drug. Twenty-four pounds of meth is the equivalent of about 86,976 doses. During two separate traffic stops of Moskaloff in January and February 2020, law enforcement found meth and firearms in the vehicles.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Clark is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force.  

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

 

XXX

 

MISSOULA -- A Washington, D.C., man who admitted to picking up three individuals who had crossed illegally into Montana from Canada and to leading law enforcement on a 76-mile car chase that ended near Whitefish was sentenced today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Rastesfaye Alpha Neil, 40, pleaded guilty on April 21 to transportation of illegal aliens.

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

Neil faced a possible sentence of five years in prison, a $250,00 fine and three years of supervised release. The government requested a sentence at the high end of the guideline range of 18 months to 24 months. The court sentenced Neil to time served of 238 days in custody and to three years of supervised release.

The government alleged in court records that Neil knowingly transported Christopher White, a Jamaica citizen; Naseem Ali Mohammed, a Somalia national and Canadian legal permanent resident; and Afrah Ahmed Abdi, a United States legal permanent resident and Somalia national; to help them remain illegally in the United States. All three were wanted by various Canadian law enforcement agencies.

The government alleged that on Jan. 23, the Spokane Sector Border Patrol responded to the West Kootenai area near Eureka for a report that three persons with backpacks and wearing dark clothing were entering the United States illegally. Agents attempted a traffic stop of a southbound Nissan Sentra. While the Nissan initially yielded, it ultimately sped away as agents approached on foot. The Nissan led law enforcement agencies on a 76-mile chase in which speeds reached 120 mph to 130 mph. The pursuit ended about one mile north of Whitefish when law enforcement successfully spiked the Nissan’s tires. Law enforcement identified Neil as the driver and White, Mohammed and Abdi as passengers who had illegally entered the United States. One of the illegal border crossers had been in contact with Neil, rental car companies and travel agencies. Neil had flown to Kalispell on Jan. 22.  

White was sentenced to two years in prison for conviction of illegal reentry of a deported or removed alien. Abdi was extradited to Canada, while Mohammed is a fugitive.

The Border Patrol, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Eureka Police Department, Whitefish Police Department and Montana Highway Patrol investigated the case.

XXX

 

 

MISSOULA — Two Missoula women convicted in a large methamphetamine trafficking ring involving pounds of the drug each were sentenced today to prison terms, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Laura Jeanne Haacke, 46, was sentenced to 54 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Haacke pleaded guilty in May to possession with intent to distribute meth.

Jennifer Renee Hawkes, 40, was sentenced to 63 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Hawkes pleaded guilty in May to possession with intent to distribute meth.

U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. Hawkes’s detention was continued and Haacke’s release was continued.

According to court documents, the government alleged that Haacke, Hawkes, and co-defendants, Jason Dean Hager, of Lolo, and Terry David Starrett, of Missoula, conspired to distribute meth in Missoula from January 2018 through January 2021. Starrett and Hager each pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth and are pending sentencing.

Officers learned through confidential informants that Haacke stored meth for her co-defendant Starrett in a trap floor at her residence. When interviewed by law enforcement, Haacke admitted that she used meth and that in February 2019, she stored numerous pounds of meth at her residence.

The government further alleged that in July 2019, Hawkes supplied a person with about two ounces of meth. After the transaction, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hawkes’s residence and recovered an additional three pounds of meth.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force, Missoula Police Department, and Missoula County Sheriff’s Office.

XXX