District of Montana

BILLINGS – A Pryor man who sexually abused two females on the Blackfeet and Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservations was sentenced today to 87 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Esaias Stops Pretty Places, 22, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to two counts of sexual abuse.

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

The government alleged in court documents that Stops Pretty Places raped a woman in May 2023 on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. He and the victim had been driving around with other people drinking alcohol and eventually ended up at a residence on the reservation, where Stops Pretty Places ignored the victim’s objections and raped her.  The victim left the house after the assault and immediately called the police.

A few months later, in July 2023, Stops Pretty Places and another victim were at a house in Lame Deer on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.  Stops Pretty Places made sexual advances toward the victim and eventually made her perform oral sex in him.

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

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BILLINGS – A Billings man who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced today to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Matthew David Slemmer, 41, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on January 17, 2025, an individual called 911 and said Slemmer pulled a gun on him following an exchange in traffic. According to the caller, Slemmer pulled into a parking lot and brandished a firearm before leaving the scene.

Shortly after law enforcement arrived, Slemmer returned to the parking lot. He eventually provided a statement in which he denied brandishing a firearm but admitted he had a gun in his car. After a further exchange, Slemmer provided consent to search his vehicle and law enforcement discovered a Hi-Point Firearms, Model C9, 9mm semi-automatic pistol exactly where Slemmer said it would be located.

Almost one year before the incident in the parking lot, on March 5, 2024, a hearing was held on a petition for a Temporary Order of Protection against Slemmer. He was present at the hearing. Another hearing was set for April 1, 2024, at which point the Temporary Order became permanent. The order says Slemmer shall not “threaten to commit or commit acts of violence” or “not harass, annoy, disturb” or otherwise communicate with the petitioner, who had a child and an ongoing intimate relationship with him. The permanent order also prohibited Slemmer from possessing firearms.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case. The ATF and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.

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GREAT FALLS – A Mexican man who used fake immigration documents was sentenced today to time served, 62 days, and remanded to the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Salvador Santiago-Lopez, 33, pleaded guilty in April 2026 to one count of use and possession of fraudulent immigration documents.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on March 6, 2026, law enforcement stopped a car near Malta in which Salvador Santiago-Lopez was a passenger. During the stop, law enforcement discovered he is a Mexican citizen without papers to be in the United States legally.

Santiago-Lopez was informed of his Miranda rights, acknowledged understanding them, and continued to answer questions. He admitted to being a citizen and national of Mexico without legal documentation to enter, pass through, or remain in the United States. He further admitted to crossing the international boundary illegally without inspection by an Immigration Officer at a designated Port of Entry.

Santiago-Lopez claimed ownership over $18,000 of US currency found in his duffle bag and said the purpose of his travel was to borrow $12,000 from his brother in Washington so he would have $30,000 to pay to have his sister smuggled into the United States. Santiago-Lopez was found to be in possession of a fake social security card and a fake I-551 card. He said he used the fake documents to gain employment. Santiago-Lopez also acknowledged using the fake documents when he was arrested for DUI.

DHS records indicate that Santiago-Lopez entered the United States illegally on August 20, 2017.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The U.S. Border Patrol and Phillips County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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MISSOULA – A Texas man who trafficked bald and golden eagles was sentenced today to five years of probation and restitution in the amount of $77,500.00, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

John Patrick Butler, 71, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to one count of conspiracy, two counts of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles, and one count of purchasing eagles and eagle parts that had been killed illegally, in violation of the Lacey Act.

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

The government alleged in court documents that law enforcement uncovered messages from co-defendant Travis John Branson and others describing the illegal taking of eagles by stating, “[O]ut [here] committing felonies,” and telling buyers he was “on a killing spree” to obtain eagle tail feathers for future sales.

Co-defendant Simon Paul, Branson, and others, hunted and killed eagles on the Flathead Indian Reservation and elsewhere. In total, approximately 3,600 birds were killed, including eagles. They then illegally sold the eagles on the black market for significant sums of cash across the United States and elsewhere.

The killing of eagles is fueled by individuals willing to purchase the eagles on the black market. Butler was one of those purchasers and he requested the killing of specific types of eagles. For example, Butler inquired of Branson, “Did u ever see any crispy ones yet?” Butler would then purchase eagles from co-defendants by transferring money through PayPal and other forms of online payment. In return, the co-defendants sent the eagles, including their parts, through the mail from Montana to Humble, Texas, where Butler resides. Postal records and text messages confirm Butler received the eagles, hawks, and their parts.

From November 2020 until March 2021, Butler purchased eagles shot in Montana and elsewhere, including:

• On December 14, 2020, Butler paid Branson $450 through PayPal for two tail feather sets—a golden eagle tail set and a bald eagle tail set.
• On December 17, 2020, Branson sent a text message to Butler with a photo of a golden eagle tail set. On the same date, Butler paid Branson $300 through a PayPal purchase for the golden eagle tail set.
• On December 28, 2020, Butler sent Branson $750 for the purchase of two golden eagle tails. Branson mailed the package filled with the two golden eagle tails through the United States Postal Service and Butler confirmed he received the package on January 4, 2021.
• On January 7, 2021, Butler purchased two golden eagle tail sets from Branson. On the same date, Butler sent Branson $900.
• On March 1, 2021, Butler purchased two golden eagle sets from Branson after Branson sent pictures of the tail sets to Butler.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted the investigation.

The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act was enacted in 1940 to protect the bald eagle, recognizing that the bald eagle is not merely a bird of biological interest, but this country’s national symbol, which reflects America’s ideals of freedom. In 1962, Congress extended the Act to also protect golden eagles.

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BILLINGS – A Billings man with a felony conviction for strangulation of a family member who sold multiple guns to undercover agents was sentenced yesterday to 57 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Frank Spencer Marr, 50, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on September 27, 2024, law enforcement conducted an undercover methamphetamine purchase from Marr in Billings. After the drug transaction, he offered to sell investigators a Taurus 9 mm pistol for $300. They agreed to buy the gun, but Marr left and did not return.

Investigators contacted Marr later, who agreed to sell a different pistol to them. A controlled purchase of the pistol took place on January 29, 2025, in Billings. In exchange for $400, Marr sold a Glock model 20, 10 mm pistol.

On February 18, 2025, Marr contacted investigators and said he had an “Italian 9 mm” he would be willing to sell them. The following day, he contacted investigators again to advise he had sold the “Italian 9 mm,” but would be willing to sell them an AR-15; 1,500 rounds of .223 ammunition; and 4 magazines. That same day, investigators conducted a controlled purchase of a Surplus Ammo & Arms model Low 15 semiautomatic rifle and 780 rounds of ammunition.

Marr reached out the following week and claimed he had more firearms to sell. Investigators arranged for the controlled purchase of an Armscor model 1911-A1 FS 9 mm pistol on February 27. An undercover agent picked up Marr at his residence and drove him to an agreed-upon location for the purchase. When they arrived, the agent bought the 1911 from Marr and left the vehicle. Other law enforcement officers on scene converged on the vehicle and arrested him.

During a subsequent interview, Marr admitted to possessing the 1911 pistol he sold to law enforcement for “6 or 7 years.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Yerger prosecuted the case. The ATF, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS - A Red Lodge man who was under investigation for drugs and was found with images and videos depicting sexually explicit conduct involving children admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

The defendant, Jeremy Dean Ruby, 50, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. Ruby faces 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 5 years to a lifetime of supervised release.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided and will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing has been set for August 26, 2026. Ruby remained detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that from approximately July 2024 through March 2025 law enforcement officers collected information connecting Ruby to the distribution of illegal drugs. As such, on March 20, 2025, a search warrant was executed on Ruby’s residence in connection with a narcotics investigation. His cellular phone was collected.

On or about March 27, 2025, law enforcement searched Ruby’s phone in connection with the drug investigation. During the review, Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) was discovered. The phone contained hundreds of images and videos depicting sexually explicit conduct involving children. The age of the children in the videos ranged from approximately two to 12 years old. Also discovered were search terms indicative of an interest in child pornography, including searches for peer-to-peer applications. Finally, while reviewing jail calls following the search, law enforcement heard Ruby make vague references to electronic evidence he wanted to dispose of.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Red Lodge Police Department conducted the investigation.

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

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BILLINGS – A Sand Springs woman who tampered with drugs at a local health care center was sentenced today to 3 years of probation, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Kailyn Marie Smotherman, 35, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to one count of tampering with consumer products.

“When a healthcare professional tampers with medications and diverts controlled substances for personal use, they not only violate federal law but also put patients at serious risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Iwanicki, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Los Angeles Field Office. “The FDA will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who compromise the safety and security of our healthcare system.”

“The arrest of this medical provider reflects DEA’s unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of the healthcare system and holding accountable those who violate public trust,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Cesar Avila.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on January 19, 2023, Kailyn Marie Smotherman was discovered to have been tampering with controlled substances at the Garfield County Health Center, where she worked. After a search of her office, staff and law enforcement found numerous vials of fentanyl that had been tampered with (caps removed and replaced) or had been emptied. They discovered other controlled substances that had been replaced along with supplies for tampering with the containers of the controlled substances.

The discovery of Smotherman’s conduct occurred when staff had entered her locked office to retrieve a narcotics log. The office was in disarray and had hospital stock narcotics present, an IV pole, tourniquets, needles, IV equipment, replacement vial caps, replacement medication labels, and what appeared to be blood on many surfaces. A search warrant was executed and multiple types of drugs were recovered, in liquid and tablet form, from Smotherman’s desk, floor, trash and filing cabinets. Law enforcement also found items from the pharmacy med room that had been tampered with.

Staff reported being concerned patients may have received saline solution instead of pain medication in the months preceding the search of Smotherman’s office on January 19, 2023.

A forensic chemist with the Food and Drug Administration conducted an analysis of the controlled substance containers confiscated from Smotherman’s office for tampering and/or adulterating of substances and concluded such tampering and adulterating had occurred.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The DEA, FDA and Garfield County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

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MISSOULA – A Florence man who produced child pornography was sentenced today to 360 months in prison to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Matthew Ray Tack, 41, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to two counts of production of child pornography, two counts of transfer of obscene material to minors, and one count of receipt of child pornography.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on May 14, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Matthew Tack’s residence in Florence and seized several phones and a laptop. Law enforcement searched the laptop and found three videos and 20 pictures which depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of the images and videos had creation dates ranging from December 5, 2023, to May 8, 2024, indicating they were received on the laptop on those dates. Several of the file paths indicated that at least some of the images were shared via applications like WhatsApp and Telegram.

Additionally, forensic analysis of the laptop revealed Tack had engaged in chats with minors on an online chat application, largely between 2021 and 2022. The chats included Tack’s solicitation from multiple minors of images and videos that depicted the minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Tack consistently urged the minors with whom he was talking to send him sexually explicit images and videos. For example, in a 2021 chat with a minor who indicated they were just entering the 10th grade, Tack told the minor that he wanted “lewd pics” of the child and that “I had hopes that later I could get you to send some.” Tack told the child his sexual interest in her was due (at least in part) to her age, saying “… young and hot, definitely my weakness.”

Beginning on April 20, 2021, and continuing through October 9, 2021, Tack engaged in similar chats on the application with Jane Doe 1. At the time of these chats, Jane Doe 1 was 13 years old. Tack began their chat by immediately asking Jane Doe 1 for a picture. He then sent several shirtless photos of himself and asked Jane Doe 1 “Could you take some?” In total during this conversation, Tack sent Jane Doe 1 two pictures of his penis and Jane Doe 1 sent Tack three images of herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct, at Tack’s behest.

Law enforcement located Jane Doe 1 and interviewed her. She confirmed she likely sent the above-described images to Tack and identified herself in some the pictures law enforcement recovered from the records of the conversation described above.

Beginning on September 16, 2021, and continuing through February 19, 2022, Tack also engaged in similar chats on the application with Jane Doe 2. At the time of these chats, Jane Doe 2 was 13 years old. During the conversations, Tack exhorted Jane Doe 2 to send him images of herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Tack reassured Jane Doe 2 he would not show the images to anyone because of how “bad” the age difference between them was, and that “…we should not be doing this but we are… I could go to prison.”

Law enforcement located Jane Doe 2 and interviewed her. She identified Tack by picture and confirmed she sent Tack the images of herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney prosecuted the case. The FBI, State of Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Glasgow Police Department, and Western Australia Police Force conducted the investigation.

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

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GREAT FALLS – A Mexican man who is in the United States illegally was sentenced to time served, 59 days, and remanded to the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Juan Abraham Carranco-Carranco, 30, pleaded guilty in March 2026 to one count of illegal reentry.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on February 23, 2026, Border Patrol agents received information regarding a possible illegal alien traveling in a Chevy Traverse, bearing Texas license plates. Agents attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle in Hinsdale, Montana, but the driver of the vehicle accelerated rapidly after noticing the agents, exceeding speeds of 100 miles per hour before agents could activate their emergency lights. Due to the vehicle’s high speeds, agents were unable to maintain a visual of the vehicle and nearby law enforcement agencies were notified the vehicle was traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 2 toward Glasgow, Montana.

Law enforcement stopped the suspect’s vehicle on Highway 2, near Oswego, Montana. There were two occupants inside. The driver was identified by his Honduran passport and issued a warning for speeding. Carranco-Carranco was identified as the passenger and detained. 

Carranco-Carranco is suspected of reentering the United States on or about November 1, 2021, near Laredo, Texas. Records checks confirmed he has never applied for or obtained permission from the United States Attorney General or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reenter the United States.

Carranco-Carranco was first removed from the United States in September 2015 by Expedited Removal through the Laredo, Texas, foot bridge.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The U.S. Border Patrol, Montana Highway Patrol, and Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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GREAT FALLS – A Browning man who over a three-year period separately assaulted 2 different individuals and sexually abused a woman was sentenced today to 188 months in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

A jury found Kevin James Trombley, 28, guilty of one count of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury in October 2025.

A separate jury found him guilty of one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, and one count of use of a firearm during a crime of violence in March 2026.

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

The government alleged in court documents and at trial in October 2025 that in June 2022, Trombley and Jane Doe were both at a house party outside Browning at the home of mutual family members. Late that night as the rest of the house slept, and while Doe was trying to make her way to bed, she encountered Trombley in the kitchen. There, he used force against Doe, pushed her into the bathroom, and engaged in non-consensual sex. Doe escaped the bathroom and immediately reported the assault.

Law enforcement officers responded to the scene and interviewed Trombley. He denied having any contact with Jane Doe, then recanted and admitted being in the bathroom with her but only for a moment. He denied having any sexual contact with her.

In July 2023, Jane Doe’s father saw Trombley at a rodeo in Browning, Montana. He approached him and told him something to the effect that he was going to prison for what he did. Trombley assaulted Jane Doe’s father, hitting him so hard he sustained a head injury and required a medical procedure to repair the injuries to his face.

The government alleged in court documents and at trial in March 2026 that John Doe was drinking with friends and family in the late hours of March 22, 2024, and early hours of March 23. Early in the morning on March 23, Trombley and some friends entered the same residence without permission.

Once inside, a fight broke out between Doe, Trombley, and others. After the fight caused damage, the homeowner ordered everyone to leave and grabbed a pellet gun to make her point.

The fight migrated outside into the driveway that abuts the house. Trombley retreated to his truck that was parked on the street. Doe, meanwhile, stood in the driveway. According to witnesses, Doe was unarmed and had his hands up, saying something to the effect of, “What are we going to do?”

At that point, Trombley—who was seated in the driver’s seat of his truck—leaned across the passenger seat and fired a gun through the truck’s window. The shot hit Doe in the abdomen, and he fell to the ground. Trombley fled in his truck. Doe was taken to Blackfeet Community Hospital before he was transferred to Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, where he underwent surgery for injuries to his internal organs. Law enforcement spoke with several witnesses who identified Trombley as the shooter.

Law enforcement went to a residence in search of Trombley. They found him sleeping in a back bedroom, and they found a Smith & Wesson 40 caliber pistol—later confirmed to have been purchased by Trombley—between the box spring and the mattress on which he slept. When Trombley’s truck was later searched, officers found a spent shell casing on the passenger side floorboard. When law enforcement interviewed Trombley, he did not deny being at the party but denied knowing how Doe was shot.

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

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BILLINGS – A Billings man who distributed significant amounts of methamphetamine was sentenced today to 168 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Vincent Lee Bell, 33, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

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

The government alleged in court documents that in August of 2025, law enforcement learned from a confidential source that Bell was distributing pound quantities of methamphetamine in Billings. On August 28, 2024, utilizing a confidential source, law enforcement arranged a purchase of methamphetamine from Bell. Bell sold the confidential source 154.1 grams of actual methamphetamine.

On September 20, 2024, law enforcement conducted a second controlled purchase using a confidential source. Bell sold the source 102.3 grams of actual methamphetamine.

After his arrest, law enforcement searched Bell’s vehicle and seized an additional 582.4 grams of actual methamphetamine.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The DEA and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS – A Billings man accused of killing Keith Breckenridge while stealing his truck appeared for an arraignment today, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

The defendant, Brian Dale Contreraz, 31, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with one count of carjacking resulting in death. If convicted, Contreraz could be imprisoned for life or sentenced to death. He also could be fined up to $250,000 and placed on supervised release for up to three years.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. Contreraz was detained pending further proceedings.

The indictment alleges that on or about May 16, 2025, in Billings, Contreraz took a motor vehicle that had been transported, shipped, and received in interstate commerce from Keith Breckenridge by force, violence, and intimidation, with the intent to cause death and serious bodily harm, resulting in the death of Breckenridge.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin Rubich and Zeno Baucus are prosecuting the case. The FBI, Billings Police Department, and BIA conducted the investigation.

The charging document is merely as accusation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

PACER case reference. CR 26-46-BLG-SPW.

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

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GREAT FALLS – Two brothers from Helena who trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl have been sentenced, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Austin Leon Timothy Hagman, 36, and Michael Wayne Hagman, 40, both pleaded guilty in November 2025 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Austin Hagman was sentenced yesterday to 144 months of imprisonment followed by 10 years of supervised release. Michael Hagman was sentenced on March 11, 2026, to 136 months of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided over both hearings.

The government alleged in court documents that law enforcement officers were investigating the Hagmans for distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl since November 2024.

Law enforcement intercepted a package containing two pounds of methamphetamine destined for the Hagmans’ residence and developed information from two sources that allowed them to apply for a search warrant for the residence in Helena. Law enforcement located a large quantity of methamphetamine and fentanyl, $39,704 in U.S. Currency, a Zastava Arms Mark X rifle, a Mossberg 464 rifle, an Israel Weapon Industries TAVOR TS12 shotgun, a Stag Arms STAG15 rifle, a Stoeger shotgun, a Winchester 1873 rifle, and miscellaneous ammunition and firearm accessories, including magazines, slings, scopes, and disassembled firearms and cases.

Austin Hagman was interviewed after the search. He told law enforcement he sold fentanyl powder for $200 per gram, methamphetamine for $450 per ounce, and M30s for $10 each. Law enforcement also located $5,000 in U.S. Currency on his person. When asked about the $5,000, Hagman said it was all from that day. He estimated he had purchased approximately 20 ounces of fentanyl powder, 4-5 pounds of meth, and two boats (2000 pills) of fentanyl from his source of supply. He also admitted the package intercepted in December was intended for him.

Michael Hagman was interviewed on March 20, 2025, and told law enforcement he received methamphetamine and fentanyl from a co-conspirator and distributed it in the Helena area. The co-conspirator would sometimes front Michael Hagman drugs to sell. He said he sold fentanyl powder for the same price he paid for it, but he would get a little from the co-conspirator for selling it. He would buy an ounce of methamphetamine for $300, grams of fentanyl powder for $200, and M30s for $5 each. He admitted he would make money from selling the methamphetamine at a higher price than he bought it from the co-conspirator.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Missouri River Drug Task Force, Helena Police Department, Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS – A Roundup man who was teaching in Thailand and groomed one of his students to produce sexually explicit material was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Billie Lee Walker, 61, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places.

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

The government alleged in court documents that in May 2024 the father of John Doe, then a 15-year-old boy, disclosed to law enforcement that Walker, who was a teacher at a school in Thailand, had inappropriate communications with John Doe while John Doe was a student at the school.

Walker, a United States citizen, began teaching John Doe around August 2021 and was dismissed from the school around May 2024. John Doe’s electronic media was analyzed. Images of child pornography were recovered, including of John Doe, as well as communications between Doe and Walker. John Doe was forensically interviewed and confirmed several images found on his electronic media. He also outlined how he communicated with individuals he knew online only by their first names and how Walker sent him money for various images John Doe created, including about $30 for a video of Doe masturbating.

On or about May 28, 2024, Walker was interviewed when he entered the United States. He admitted he communicated with John Doe online and had “only seen a few images” of John Doe naked. He also noted that, at least on one occasion, he did pay John Doe for images. Finally, Walker acknowledged creating online personas to communicate with John Doe.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations and the Musselshell County Sheriff’s Office.

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

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GREAT FALLS - A Poplar man accused of sending obscene pictures and videos to a minor admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

The defendant, Benjamin George Walkingeagle, Sr., 40, pleaded guilty to one count of transfer of obscene material to a minor. Walkingeagle faces 10 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided and will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for August 12, 2026. Walkingeagle was released with conditions pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that in October 2023, the FBI investigated Walkingeagle for transferring obscene material to a minor after a 14-year-old female, Jane Doe, reported he was sending her sexual messages. Doe was forensically interviewed and confirmed Walkingeagle sent her pictures and videos over Facebook. She no longer had the messages but provided law enforcement with screenshots. The messages show sexually explicit messages, including what appears to be a picture of male genitalia. The actual image was covered up by the victim, but it is consistent with an image of the genitalia of the photographer. In a 2025 interview with the FBI, Walkingeagle admitted he sent Jane Doe a picture of his genitalia that he took in his bedroom.

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

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

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GREAT FALLS – A Browning lawyer who was found guilty by a jury of making a false statement to law enforcement was sentenced today to serve four years of probation and to pay a $100,000 fine, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Nathan Nicholas Johnson St. Goddard, 45, was convicted by a jury in December 2025 of making a false statement in a sexual abuse investigation.

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

The government alleged in court documents and at trial that on September 10, 2024, St. Goddard was interviewed by law enforcement about an allegation of sexual assault that occurred in June 2024. Law enforcement told him about the investigation and said he matched the description of the man and vehicle that dropped off the alleged victim. In a recorded interview, St. Goddard provided what he represented was a full narrative of his interactions with the alleged victim that night and claimed he only gave a ride to an intoxicated girl, which was a false representation because he knew at that time he had sexual contact with her.

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

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MISSOULA – A Hamilton man who illegally possessed several firearms and ammunition was found guilty by a federal jury yesterday, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Following a one-day trial, Shawn Ryan Cowan, 28, was found guilty of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Cowan faces 15 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided and will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is set for August 26, 2026. Cowan was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents and at trial that law enforcement officers received information that Cowan was in possession of a firearm. A search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence where law enforcement located the following:

• Ruger SR-22, .22 cal. pistol;
• Raven Arms P25, .25 cal. pistol;
• F.LLI Pietta Fabrica D'Armi, Big Bore Rough Rider, .357 cal. revolver;
• Derya Arms (Derya Silah Sanayi) TM22-A-18, .22 cal. rifle;
• Marlin Firearms Co. 20, .22 cal. rifle;
• High Standard Sentinel, .22 cal. revolver;
• North American Arms NAA22, .22 cal. revolver;
• Smith & Wesson 18, .22 cal. revolver;
• Derya Arms (Derya Silah Sanayi) VRPA40, .12 cal. shotgun;
• Heritage Mfg. Inc. Rough Rider, .22 cal. revolver.

Agents also located various calibers of ammunition.

Cowan was previously convicted of Aggravated Assault in Montana, which is punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Cowan also is required to register as a violent offender for life because he received another felony conviction while required to register. The defendant’s right to possess a firearm was never restored under Montana or federal law.

The defendant admitted to law enforcement that he was “technically a felon,” but stated he owned guns because his conviction was fraudulently obtained by county officials.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the ATF and Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office.

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MISSOULA – A pair of women from Charlotte, North Carolina who stole identities to withdraw funds from bank accounts have been sentenced, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

April Lynn Turner-Gross, 39, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Yesterday, Turner-Gross was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Kimberly Gail Worden, 41, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. On March 17, 2026, Worden was sentenced to 29 months imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.

The defendants were also ordered to pay $71,300 jointly in restitution.

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

The government alleged in court documents that Turner-Gross and Worden stole identities and fraudulently withdrew funds from customer accounts at banks in Montana. The investigation has identified 18 fraudulent cash withdrawals from 18 customer accounts at ten different financial institutions for a total loss of $71,300.00.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katy Stack prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS - A Billings bail bondsman accused of paying bonds in exchange for sex admitted to charges yesterday, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

The defendant, Louis Christopher Ikeda, 46, pleaded guilty to 1 count of use of facility in interstate commerce in aid of racketeering. Ikeda faces 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing will be set at a later time. Ikeda was released with conditions pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that Ikeda was a licensed surety producer and bail bond agent employed with Northwest Bail Bonds in Billings, Montana.

In November 2024, Jane Doe was incarcerated at YCDF on several criminal cases pending before the State of Montana’s Thirteenth Judicial District Court. To be released from custody on those matters, Jane Doe was required, in pertinent part, to post $10,000.00 bail.

On November 18, 2024, Ikeda initiated a text message conversation with Jane Doe that continued over the course of the following weeks. Their conversation quickly turned sexual, including whenever Jane Doe would bring up the topic of her bail. After initially telling Jane Doe that he could not post her bond because it would be illegal, Ikeda later began discussing different amounts he would accept as payment. These discussions would typically be interjected with sexually explicit messages. Ultimately, Ikeda told Jane Doe he would accept $300 (the amount Northwest Bail Bond would owe its surety company) to post her bail. The conversation then turned sexual in anticipation of her release.

On December 2, 2024, Ikeda posted bail for Jane Doe. After the two left YCDF, Ikeda drove Jane Doe to an area by the river in Billings and they had sexual intercourse. Jane Doe later described feeling pressured into having sex with Ikeda because whenever she talked about being released from jail he would respond by expressing his desire to have sex with her. She also believed the sexual relationship was in exchange for Ikeda accepting a reduced amount to post bond for her release. Jane Doe reported that after she was released from custody, Ikeda instructed her that if anyone asked about their relationship, she should say it was strictly professional.

In total, Ikeda accepted $200 from a third party to post bond for Jane Doe’s $10,000 bail. However, Ikeda deposited a total of $300 in Northwest Bail Bonds’ accounts used to pay its surety. He later admitted he used his own money to make up the difference.

Subsequent to posting Jane Doe’s bond, Ikeda messaged two other female inmates at YCDF. He discussed bail with both inmates and both conversations quickly turned sexual. Ultimately, he posted bond for both inmates for less than the required minimum premium amount. Both women later reported they believed a sexual relationship with Ikeda was expected in exchange for his posting their bond, but both were able to evade him after their respective releases from YCDF.                        

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Vestal and Tom Godfrey prosecuted the case. Homeland Security Investigations, State of Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, and Montana Probation and Parole conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS – A Billings man who sexually assaulted a child on the Crow Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 60 months in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Matthew Paul Stopsatprettyplaces, 49, was convicted by a jury in December 2025 of abusive sexual contact of a child.

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

The government alleged in court documents and at trial that in 2019, Stopsatprettyplaces gave 9-year-old Jane Doe a ride to a family member’s residence in Hardin. En route, he took advantage of Jane Doe while she was asleep. He first put his hands on Jane Doe’s thighs, which woke her up. But Stopsatprettyplaces continued the assault by putting his hand on her inner thighs and then under her shirt, fondling her bare breasts. On a subsequent occasion at Jane Doe’s house in Hardin, Stopsatprettyplaces again assaulted Jane Doe, ten 10 years old, by kissing her all over and fondling her over her clothes.

Jane Doe disclosed the sexual abuse a few years later to a therapist, who mandatorily reported to the child abuse hotline, which triggered an immediate investigation by the FBI. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelsey Hendricks and Paul Vestal prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the FBI.

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BILLINGS – A Hardin man accused of possessing child pornography admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

The defendant, Randall Allen Flatlip, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, a $17,000 special assessment, a $5,000 special assessment, and not less than five years to a lifetime of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy C. Cavan presided. U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing will be set for a later date. Flatlip was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that the government received a tip on July 3, 2022, that someone uploaded a video depicting child pornography to a Google account around June 25, 2022. The email address associated with the account was connected to Flatlip.  The subscriber information for the email address included Flatlip’s address in Hardin. When the government searched email accounts associated with Flatlip, they learned several images and videos had been deleted prior to the execution of the warrant. Moreover, law enforcement spoke with an individual that witnessed Flatlip access child pornography on electronic media when living in Hardin.

Flatlip was charged with possession child pornography in Utah in 2016, but was not convicted. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus is prosecuting the case. The FBI and BIA conducted the investigation.

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

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GREAT FALLS – A Great Falls man who was prohibited from possessing firearms was sentenced yesterday to 180 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

During an October 2025 trial, a jury found Daniel Lee Evenson, 35, guilty of one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

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

The government alleged in court documents and at trial that in September 2023, Daniel Lee Evenson, a convicted felon on state supervision, was the suspect of new crimes in the Great Falls area. As part of the investigation, law enforcement searched Evenson’s residence and seized a loaded, 9mm Smith & Wesson pistol from a floor vent in his bedroom. The pistol was stolen from a local vehicle in June 2023. During Evenson’s interview, he acknowledged his prior felony convictions, his prohibition from possessing firearms, and the stolen nature of the 9mm pistol.

Evenson further acknowledged committing two hotel robberies with a BB gun but ultimately denied committing a third robbery. Evenson acknowledged being on probation since around 2017 or 2018. Evenson knew roughly what neighborhood the firearm came from but claimed he did not steal it. When officers showed him a photograph of the 9mm pistol, Evenson acknowledged it was the same firearm found in the vent in his bedroom.

At the time of the offense, Evenson had been convicted of at least three prior offenses for violent felonies.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The ATF, Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, and Montana Probation and Parole conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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GREAT FALLS – A Chester man accused of possessing images and videos depicting child pornography admitted to charges yesterday, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

The defendant, Brandon Wayne Roos, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography which carries the following penalties: a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, and not less than five years to a lifetime of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided. U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing will be set for a later date. Roos was released on conditions pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that on September 24, 2023, Brandon Wayne Roos attempted to cross into Montana from Canada at the Sweetgrass Port of Entry. Acting on a tip, officers from Customs and Border Protection's Office of Field Operations (CBP-OFO) seized Roos’ cell phone and searched it, finding several videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The investigation revealed the images were downloaded to Roos’ phone via the Telegram application and officers found a total of 151 images and 49 videos of child pornography. When interviewed, Roos admitted purchasing and downloading child pornography images via Telegram to both his phone and computer at his home in Chester.

Law enforcement traveled to Roos’ home and seized his computer. A forensic examination revealed 50 images and eight videos of child pornography.       

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney prosecuted the case. Homeland Security Investigations, CBP-OFO, and the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

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

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GREAT FALLS – A Great Falls man who distributed methamphetamine was sentenced today to 43 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Nicholas Charles Williams, 46, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

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

The government alleged in court documents that between 2021 and March 2025, law enforcement officers investigated a group of individuals suspected of distributing methamphetamine in and around Great Falls. Williams was one of the members of the group. As part of the investigation into Williams, officers conducted three controlled purchases of methamphetamine from him utilizing a confidential informant. On each occasion, the drugs were sent to the DEA Laboratory for testing, which confirmed each of the substances acquired from Williams was methamphetamine.

On July 9, 2024, officers interviewed Williams and he admitted to selling methamphetamine between 2021 and late June 2024.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Montana comprises agents and officers from a number of federal agencies as well as drug task forces throughout the state, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno Baucus and Jeff Starnes prosecuted the case. The Russell Country Drug Task Force and DEA conducted the investigation as part of the HSTF.

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MISSOULA – A California man accused of scamming money and gold from his victim appeared for an arraignment yesterday, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

The defendant, Lingwei Yang, 24, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud. If convicted of the most serious charge, Yang faces 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Yang was detained pending further proceedings.

Count one of the indictment alleges that beginning in or about October 2025 and continuing thereafter until at least February 20, 2026, at Missoula, Yang knowingly and unlawfully conspired with others to commit the offense of wire fraud.

Count two of the indictment alleges that beginning in or about October 2025 and thereafter until at least February 20, 2026, at Missoula, Yang, having devised and intending to devise a material scheme and artifice to defraud, and for the purpose of executing such scheme and artifice, and attempting to do so, knowingly transmitted and caused to be transmitted by means of wire communication in interstate and foreign commerce, writings, signs, signals, pictures, and sounds for the purpose of executing such scheme and artifice.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katy Stack is prosecuting the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.

The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

PACER case reference. CR 26-17-M-DLC.

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

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BILLINGS – A Wyoming man with prior felony convictions who was found in possession of drugs and guns on two separate occasions was sentenced today to 118 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Kristofer Mikal Wright, 38, pleaded guilty in May 2025 to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on March 20, 2024, Wright had an active warrant for his arrest by Wyoming probation. He was also being investigated for distributing drugs. He was located by the U.S. Marshals Service in Billings and arrested. Wright had been surveilled driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee to a storage unit, so law enforcement searched the vehicle and seized two loaded firearms, ammunition, and 35.2 grams of methamphetamine.

About two months later, on May 31, 2024, Wright was again in Billings with an active warrant for his arrest on his Wyoming case. Law enforcement saw him in the Jeep at a local motel and watched him as he drove around Billings. He parked at a residence and the U.S. Marshals prepared to effect an arrest, but Wright came out of the house and got back in his Jeep. The officers tried to pin Wright’s vehicle to prevent him from leaving but he ignored their commands, started the car, and tried to escape by ramming a broken-down van parked in front of him on the street. He also tried to back into a marked police vehicle. Law enforcement ultimately fired non-lethal, bean bag, shotgun rounds to break Wright’s windows and get him to surrender.

When officers subsequently searched Wright’s Jeep, they found two firearms, ammunition, 253.7 grams of actual methamphetamine, and 90.8 grams of fentanyl.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Godfrey prosecuted the case. The ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and Montana Highway Patrol conducted the investigation.

GREAT FALLS – A Dodson man who violently assaulted several victims on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 64 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

James “Jimmy” Has The Eagle, Jr., 41, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to one count of aggravated burglary, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, and one count of domestic assault by a habitual offender.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on July 17, 2024, Jane Doe 1 and Has The Eagle caught a ride to a residence in Lodgepole. Has The Eagle started getting angry at Jane Doe 1 and started beating on her in the vehicle. When they got close to the house, he pushed Jane Doe 1 out of the moving truck and into the street.

Jane Doe 1 ran away to hide around the corner of the house, but Has The Eagle found her. He punched her several times, pushed her down on the ground, and then kicked her in the face with his black fire boots. She lost consciousness after the first kick. When she later regained consciousness, she went into the house and locked the door. Has The Eagle tried to get inside a few minutes later, eventually kicking the door in. Jane Doe 1 tried to hide, but he found her in the bathroom closet. As he was screaming that he would kill her, Has The Eagle wrapped a yellow extension cord around Jane Doe 1’s neck and was strangling her. He was screaming with the cord wrapped around both of their necks, yelling that he was going to kill both himself and her.

Medical records identify that Jane Doe 1 had bruising to her bilateral temples and forehead, with significant swelling to the left cheek and bruising under her left eye with diffuse tenderness to palpation of her face. The records note there were numerous bruises to Jane Doe 1’s extremities, as well as ligature marks to her anterior neck and bruising on the posterior neck to the left of midline.

About a week before the assault of Jane Doe 1, Has The Eagle violently assaulted Jane Doe 2, and their child, Jane Doe 3, in a vehicle on their way to Hays on July 11, 2024. During the drive, he demanded to stop at a house of a known drug user. Jane Doe 2 said no, angering Has The Eagle. Jane Doe 3 began to argue with him and threw a can at him. He flew into a rage and he forcibly grabbed Jane Doe 3, pulling her into the seat with him where he began punching her in the face with his fist.

Jane Doe 2 pulled the vehicle over and Has The Eagle dragged Jane Doe 3 across the pavement. Jane Doe 2 went to help Jane Doe 3, but when she opened the door, he hit her in the eye, face, head, and shoulder/upper arm with tire chains. Jane Doe 2 stated it “knocked [her] for a loop” and she felt dizzy. She expressed still feeling the effects of the assault in September, nearly two months later. Jane Doe 3 suffered black eyes and scraping on her arms from when she was dragged out of the vehicle.

Prior to the assaults of Jane Does 1, 2 and 3, Has The Eagle had been convicted of at least four domestic assaults. Specifically, he was convicted in 2007 of a misdemeanor Partner Family Member Assault (PFMA) before the Havre City Court, and a second misdemeanor PFMA before the Hill County Justice Court. He was also convicted of Abuse of a Family Member before the Fort Belknap Tribal Court in 2021, as well as Elder Abuse and Assault in 2021 before the Fort Belknap Tribal Court.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Myers prosecuted the case. The FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.

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GREAT FALLS – A Browning man who shot an individual on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was found guilty by a federal jury today, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Following a one-and-a-half-day trial, Kevin James Trombley, 28, was found guilty of one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, and one count of use of a firearm during a crime of violence. Trombley faces mandatory minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided and will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for April 23, 2026. Trombley remained detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents and at trial that John Doe was drinking with friends and family in the late hours of March 22, 2024, and early hours of March 23. Early in the morning on March 23, Trombley and some friends entered the same residence without permission.

Once inside, a fight ensued among Doe, Trombley, and others. After the fight caused damage, the homeowner declared everyone needed to leave, and grabbed a pellet gun to make her point.

The fight migrated outside into the driveway that abuts the house. Doe, meanwhile, stood in the driveway. According to witnesses, Doe was unarmed and had his hands up, saying something to the effect of, “What are we going to do?”

At that point, Trombley—who was seated in the driver’s seat of his truck—leaned across the passenger seat—and fired a gun through the truck’s window. The shot hit Doe in the abdomen, and he fell to the ground. Trombley then fled in his truck. Doe was taken to Blackfeet Community Hospital before he was transferred to Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, where he underwent surgery for injuries to his internal organs. Law enforcement spoke with several witnesses who identified Trombley as the shooter.

Law enforcement went to a residence in search of Trombley. They found him sleeping in a back bedroom, and they found a Smith & Wesson 40 caliber pistol—later confirmed to have been purchased by Trombley—between the box spring and the mattress on which he slept. When Trombley’s truck was later searched, officers found a spent shell casing on the passenger side floorboard. When law enforcement interviewed Trombley, he did not deny being at the party but denied knowing how Doe was shot.

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

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BILLINGS – A Billings man who was prohibited from owning firearms was sentenced today to 41 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Andre Lamar Alexander, 19, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. He is prohibited based on a conviction for felony escape in Montana’s Thirteenth Judicial District Court in April 2025.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on August 3, 2025, law enforcement officers responded to a Billings residence after receiving a report that a male suspect had threatened to shoot a teenage female, Jane Doe. Doe said Alexander messaged her, demanding that she return some of his belongings. When Doe arrived at her house, she saw Alexander sitting in a vehicle. He got out of the car holding a pistol and threatened her, saying “You’re so lucky I don’t just shoot you up right now” and “If the cops get involved it’s going to be way worse.” Doe showed the officers messages Alexander sent to her that night, which contained repeated threats to shoot her.

Other responding officers located the vehicle parked nearby and ordered the occupants to exit. Alexander was sitting in the front passenger seat. As he got out, the officers observed a black backpack on the floor at his feet. When they searched Alexander’s bag, the officers seized a black, privately-made Geisler model 19X .40 caliber pistol, two standard magazines, one extended .40 caliber magazine, and Alexander’s wallet.

Alexander later admitted in phone calls from the jail he owned a second gun – a “Glock 17” – that he successfully concealed from the arresting officers. Investigators identified that firearm as a Glock model 17, 9 mm semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine with 39 rounds of 9 mm ammunition. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Yerger prosecuted the case. The ATF and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.

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MISSOULA – A Mexican man who reentered the United States illegally was sentenced today to 18 months incarceration and 3 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Baldemar Duarte-Nieto, 47, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of illegal reentry.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on July 26, 2025, Duarte-Nieto was found by law enforcement in Kalispell after a short vehicle and foot pursuit. The pursuit reached 80 mph in a residential neighborhood and Duarte-Nieto struck a Toyota Camry filled with four people. A K-9 was deployed to apprehend him. Duarte-Nieto had an arrest warrant from Washington for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance – heroin.

Duarte-Nieto was first removed from the United States in 1996 or 1997, in 2000, and then a week later with a 20-year bar. He was last removed from the United States in November 2021 after an extensive hearing with an Immigration Judge because he used an assumed identity for approximately 20 years.

Duarte-Nieto’s prior convictions include:

• 1996 assault with a weapon in Pacific County, Washington;
• 2002 carjacking in Claremont, California;
• 2006 conspiracy/bringing a controlled dangerous substance into a prison in Susanville, California; and
• 2012 false statements in the Western District of Washington.

There are no records within the Department of Homeland Security that Duarte-Nieto ever applied for readmission into the United States.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. Homeland Security Investigations, Northwest Montana Drug Task Force, and Flathead County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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GREAT FALLS – A Browning man who shot a woman on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 24 months in prison to be followed by 2 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Treyson Lee Sharp, 22, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of involuntary manslaughter.

U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided.

The government alleged in court documents that on the night of December 28, 2024, the defendant, Treyson Lee Sharp, invited Jane Doe to his family home for dinner. After dinner, they retired to his bedroom where Sharp showed Doe his Christmas presents, including a pair of .357 revolvers. While playing with the firearms, the defendant pointed the revolver at Doe and discharged the firearm, striking Doe in the neck.

Sharp immediately yelled for help. Family members who were in the home responded. One called 911 and one rendered medical aid to Doe. Doe died at the scene. Law enforcement responded to the home. In interviews with witnesses, they reported hearing Sharp and Doe laughing in the room immediately before hearing a single shot and then Sharp yelling for help.

Law enforcement recovered four firearms at the scene: two .357 revolvers, a .44 revolver, and a modified shotgun. They located a bullet hole in Sharp’s bedroom wall and found a spent projectile outside the house and a brass casing in the wall. The casing was forensically matched to one of the recovered .357 revolvers. The cylinder of the fired revolver had six chambers: five were empty and one contained a spent casing.

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

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MISSOULA – A Mexican man who entered the United States after being previously removed was sentenced today to time served, 219 days, and remanded to the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Juan Diego Rojas-Meneses, 20, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of reentry of a removed alien.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on August 12, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence in Belgrade, Montana where they discovered Rojas-Meneses. He was interviewed at the scene and admitted being a citizen of Mexico without the necessary documentation to be in the United States.

A records check confirmed Rojas-Meneses is a citizen of Mexico who was last was removed from the United States on September 1, 2024, and September 23, 2024, through El Paso, Texas.

There is no record that he obtained the consent of the Attorney General or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission into the United States

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, Belgrade Police Department, and Montana Division of Criminal Investigations.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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BILLINGS – A Lame Deer man who attempted to sexually abuse a minor was sentenced today to 216 months in prison to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Dean Allen Wallowing Bull, 46, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of attempted sexual abuse.

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

The government alleged in court documents that in 2009, Wallowing Bull and John Doe, a minor at the time, were drinking together at Wallowing Bull’s residence. Doe eventually fell asleep on a couch in the basement. When he awoke, he could see Wallowing Bull laying behind him and felt him reaching over Doe’s stomach toward his crotch. Doe got off the couch to leave, but Wallowing Bull blocked the doorway. Doe returned to the couch and fell asleep again.

After approximately 15 minutes, Doe awoke to find Wallowing Bull laying behind him again and reaching toward his crotch. When Doe tried to get off the couch to leave, Wallowing Bull pinned him to the couch to prevent him from escaping. Doe fought back and Wallowing Bull eventually allowed Doe to exit the basement. Evidence gathered throughout the investigation established that Wallowing Bull intended to remove Doe’s clothing in order to have anal or oral sex with Doe.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the FBI, BIA, and Northern Cheyenne Investigative Services. 

BILLINGS – A Billings man who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced today to 46 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Isaac Clyde Martinez, 38, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on May 24, 2025, law enforcement officers responded to a domestic violence call. When they arrived, officers found Jane Doe, who told them that she and Martinez had been arguing since the previous evening, and Martinez had pulled out a firearm and pointed it at her chest. She said that after Martinez cooled down, he placed the gun in a silver grill outside the residence. Jane Doe directed law enforcement to the location of the gun.

Law enforcement discovered the firearm where Jane Doe said it would be. The firearm was a black Taurus, model TH9, 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol. Also discovered in the same location was a pistol bag, containing loose ammunition as well as a full box of 9mm ammunition. Fingerprints taken off the loose ammunition and box were later positively matched to Martinez.

On or about October 13, 2021, Martinez was sentenced in the United States District Court for the District of Montana for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the ATF and Billings Police Department.

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BILLINGS - A Sheridan, Wyoming man accused of producing child pornography admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

The defendant, Zachary Dean Schifferns, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a maximum term of 30 years, a $250,000 fine, and five years to lifetime supervised release. Schifferns also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing will be set at a later time. Schifferns was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that on December 25, 2024, law enforcement in Rosebud County interviewed John Doe 1, then a 14-year-old male. John Doe 1 said about two weeks earlier Schifferns added John Doe 1 on a social media application. Schifferns told John Doe 1 he had an interest in boys aged 12-15. John Doe 1 explained Schifferns asked him for nude images and sent him a picture of his (Schifferns’) penis. At Schifferns’ urging, John Doe 1 said he sent Schifferns a picture of his abs and penis but then contended he photoshopped a picture of a penis he found on the internet onto his body to send to Schifferns.

Investigation into Schifferns’ electronic media led to the discovery of dozens of images and videos of child pornography. This included content depicting children 12 years of age or younger engaged in sexually explicit conduct. A review of Schifferns’ social media account contained communication between Schifferns and John Doe 1, among others. In the communications with John Doe 1, Schifferns solicitated child pornography from John Doe 1 and offered money to have sex with him.           

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case. The FBI, Rosebud County Sheriff’s Office and Big Horn County Sheriff's Office conducted the investigation.

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

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MISSOULA – Five more defendants in a 13-defendant case were sentenced yesterday and today for trafficking fentanyl from Arizona to Montana and other states, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

On Monday, March 16, Sadie Cheryl Sawyer, 37, was sentenced to 48 months in prison and Zane Nicholas Schafer, 35, was sentenced to 30 months. Today, Carrie Jean Bishop, 52, Spring Marie Davis, 50, and Diana Michelle Karnes, 43, were also ordered to federal prison. Bishop received a term of 108 months, Davis 30, and Karnes 96.

All five defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl in November 2025 and Karnes also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. They will each be on supervised release for five years after they serve their custodial sentences.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided over all five hearings.

The government alleged in court documents that between February 2023 and March 2025, the members of this drug trafficking organization (DTO), headed by Gerad Nigel Punch, transported fentanyl into Montana for distribution. Punch and the coconspirators mailed and transported fentanyl from Phoenix, Arizona, for distribution to local dealers in Texas, Washington, and Montana.

When the fentanyl arrived in Montana, Punch either directly distributed the drugs to local traffickers or arranged for other coconspirators to sell them. Sawyer worked as a local distributor in Montana, buying large quantities of fentanyl from Punch and suppliers in Arizona and delivering the drugs to local dealers. Schafer received at least four packages of fentanyl at his residence in Anaconda for distribution in the surrounding area. Bishop worked with Gerad Punch and others to transport fentanyl into Montana and distributed the drugs to other sellers and local users. Davis connected co-conspirators in Arizona and Montana and directly assisted Gerad Punch in selling over 2,000 grams of fentanyl to an undercover law enforcement officer in Butte in October 2024. Karnes distributed fentanyl in Montana and connected Gerad Punch to purchasers in Montana, in part for forgiveness of drug debts she owed the DTO.

During the investigation of this DTO, law enforcement seized over 10 kilograms of fentanyl. Gerad Punch was previously sentenced on February 23, 2026, to 240 months in prison, and Brooke Cardonia was sentenced on January 28, 2026, to 108 months. Co-defendants Shawn Michael Scholler and Adam Joseph Sarvis are scheduled to plead guilty this week and the remaining defendants, D’Andre Dontae Glass, Dwayne Nyron Punch, Freddie Lee Carter, and Bernard Cowley Glass, Jr. will be sentenced in June and July.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Lowney and Zeno Baucus are prosecuting the case. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force, which includes agents from the Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Montana comprises agents and officers from multiple law enforcement agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana.

GREAT FALLS – A Box Elder man accused of stabbing another man on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

The defendant, Trent Justin Taylor, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter, which carries a penalty of eight years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided and will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for July 16, 2026. Taylor was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that on the evening of December 27, 2025, John Doe and his family planned to leave their house while Taylor and others stayed behind. While Doe was in the process of departing, an altercation ensued between Taylor and his girlfriend. Taylor became agitated and punched a hole in the wall, then declared he was going to kill himself. Doe told Taylor he would not allow Taylor to do that and followed Taylor into the kitchen.

Taylor grabbed a kitchen knife and pointed it at his chest. Doe tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the knife away from him. While Doe and Taylor fought for control over the knife, Doe suffered a stab wound to his chest. According to a witness, both Doe’s hands and Taylor’s hands were on the handle of the knife when the stabbing occurred. Witnesses at the scene immediately attempted to perform life-saving measures, but Doe was pronounced dead at the Northern Montana Hospital. An autopsy confirmed Doe died as a result of the stab wound to his chest.                   

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

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BILLINGS – A Lame Deer man who assaulted federal officers on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 150 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Caleb Raymond Carter, 40, was found guilty at a December 2025 trial of two counts of assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, and one count of use of a firearm during or in relation to a crime of violence.

U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided.

The government alleged in court documents and at trial that John Does 1 and 2 are federal law enforcement officers employed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.  On May 2, 2025, John Doe 1 responded to a 911 call in Lame Deer. The caller, Jane Doe, advised Carter was drunk and was yelling at her mother, causing her to fear for her mother’s safety. By the time Doe 1 responded, the disturbance had subsided. Doe 1 contacted Jane Doe and her brother and confirmed they were safe. He instructed Jane Doe to call 911 again if there were any other issues. He cleared the residence.

Later the same day, Jane Doe called 911 again to report Carter had woken up and was “yelling around.” Again, Jane Doe expressed concern for her family’s physical safety. She also advised Carter may be armed with a firearm. John Does 1 and 2 responded to the residence in separate, marked patrol vehicles. Both officers activated their emergency lights and parked at the northeast corner of the property.

They approached a camper trailer on the property Carter had been using as a bedroom but no one responded to their knock on the door or their announcement that they were BIA police.

John Doe 1 proceeded to the nearby residence and was greeted at the door by Jane Doe’s brother. As he was speaking with the brother, Doe 1 heard a loud bang that he immediately recognized as a gunshot. Both Doe 1 and Doe 2 drew their duty weapons and retreated from the door. They advised dispatch that shots had been fired and commanded the occupants of the camper to exit. Eventually, Carter and his wife emerged from the trailer with their hands raised and both were taken into custody.

Law enforcement searched and photographed the camper trailer, noting a hole in the door consistent with a gun shot. They seized a 20-gauge shotgun in an overheard cabinet across from the door of the camper and observed a spent shell casing stuck inside the chamber. They also located and seized a box of 20-gauge ammunition from a kitchen cabinet.

During an interview with law enforcement, Carter claimed he had had “issues” with law enforcement entering onto the property in the past, and had posted a “No Trespassing” sign on the gate in an effort to deter them from doing so. He admitted he watched John Doe 1 access the property the first time and said he locked a gate after the officer left.

An FBI analyst examined the firearm and determined it functioned normally and would not have discharged accidentally.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Yerger prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the BIA.

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GREAT FALLS – A Helena convicted of selling methamphetamine and fentanyl was sentenced Wednesday to 136 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Michael Wayne Hagman, 40, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

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

The government alleged in court documents that law enforcement intercepted a package in February 2025 containing two pounds of methamphetamine and destined for Hagman’s residence. They searched that residence on February 28, 2025, and seized a large quantity of methamphetamine and fentanyl, $39,704 in U.S. Currency, and several firearms.

During an interview with law enforcement on March 20, 2025, Hagman admitted he was receiving meth and fentanyl from a co-conspirator and distributing the drugs in the Helena area. The co-conspirator would sometimes front Hagman drugs to sell. Hagman said he sold fentanyl powder for the same price he paid for it and his source compensated him with user amounts of the drug. He also discussed the purchase and sale prices of meth, fentanyl, and M30s (fentanyl pills) and admitted he resold the meth at a higher price to make a profit.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Missouri River Drug Task Force, Helena Police Department, Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office, and FBI Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS – A Garryowen man who caused the death of his female passenger in a motor vehicle crash was sentenced today to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Cade Cleatus Birdinground, 20, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of involuntary manslaughter.

U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided.

The government alleged in court documents that at approximately 4:30 A.M. on May 18, 2024, police responded to a motor vehicle crash on Highway 384 near Hardin, Montana on the Crow Reservation. There, police located a truck that had gone off the road and was partially submerged in the Big Horn River. Upon recovering the vehicle from the river, police discovered the body of a deceased female on the floorboard in the passenger seat area.

Police learned Birdinground had been taken in by neighbors near the scene of the crash. He had the key to the truck in his pocket and was intoxicated. Birdinground’s blood alcohol content was 218 mg/dL at 6:00 a.m., approximately 90 minutes after the crash.

Through the investigation, witnesses identified Birdinground as the driver. Police learned Jane Doe was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Witnesses reported Birdinground was driving recklessly and crashed the truck. The Montana Highway Patrol conducted a crash investigation and confirmed the driver failed to negotiate a curve in the road and crashed down an 18-foot embankment into the river.

An autopsy revealed Jane Doe’s cause of death was drowning and the manner of death was an accident related to being a passenger in a motor vehicle collision into a river.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Hendricks prosecuted the case. The BIA, FBI, Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office, and Montana Highway Patrol conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS – A Billings woman accused of facilitating a carjacking which resulted in death admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

The defendant, Shyanna Jo Whitewolf, 21, pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking resulting in death. Whitewolf faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing will be set at a later time. Whitewolf was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that on May 16, 2025, Violet Littlelight arranged for Keith Breckenridge to pick her up at her residence in Billings. Prior to meeting Breckenridge, Littlelight, Whitewolf and another co-defendant planned to rob Breckenridge and take his truck. Once they took Breckenridge’s truck, they planned to give it to a drug dealer in Hardin in exchange for drugs or money.

When Whitewolf, Littlelight, and the third co-defendant arrived at the rendezvous point, Breckenridge was suspicious. Littlelight vouched for Whitewolf and the other co-defendant and told Breckenridge they just needed a ride. Based on her assurances, Breckenridge let all three defendants into his truck.

As they drove, Whitewolf engaged Breckenridge in conversation to keep him calm. When they arrived in an alley, Breckenridge was directed to stop when he was stabbed approximately 20 times in his neck, chest, and stomach with a knife. The defendants removed Breckenridge from the driver’s seat and left him in the alley, where he subsequently died from the stab wounds.

The defendants then drove Breckenridge’s truck to Hardin. They changed their clothes and placed the bloody clothes in the truck. They then drove to a house on the Crow reservation. When they arrived, they decided they needed to clean the truck, so they used cleaning products they obtained from the owner of the house and threw their clothes and other incriminating evidence into a burn pit. As they were cleaning the truck, law enforcement officers arrived. Littlelight and the other co-defendant fled, leaving the truck behind. Whitewolf remained at the scene but falsely told law enforcement she was not involved with the truck. Consequently, Whitewolf was not arrested until several days later.                  

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin Rubich and Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case. The FBI, Billings Police Department, and BIA conducted the investigation.

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GREAT FALLS – A Hays woman who beat a man so badly he later died from his injuries was sentenced to 22 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Heavenlee Drewann Sears, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury in November 2025.

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

The government alleged in court documents that Fort Belknap law enforcement responded to John Doe’s house on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation around 6:00 AM on September 30, 2023. When the officer entered the house, he saw Doe on the kitchen floor, bloodied and unconscious. Doe’s daughter, Sears, and Alta Chandler were at the house, along with a relative of both Doe and Sears who had called 911.

Emergency medical services responded to the scene to transport Doe to the hospital. Body camera from the medical response shows Doe’s audibly labored breathing, along with his swollen and bloody face. Sears and Chandler are visible on the body camera lingering around the area where Doe had been laying, and the tribal officer repeatedly admonished Chandler to stop trying to wipe up blood. A peppermint schnapps bottle is depicted at the scene on the body camera.

Sears was arrested later that day and was wearing a bloody sweater and pants when she was taken into custody. When Sears spoke with the FBI, she told them she and Chandler had been drinking and driving around the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and their evening had included the purchase of a bottle of peppermint schnapps. Eventually, Sears admitted she and Chandler had gone to Doe’s house while they were heavily intoxicated and, once there, beat him. Sears hit Doe in the head with the bottle of peppermint schnapps, and Chandler hit Does with her fists while he was on the ground.

Doe was taken to Fort Belknap Indian Health Services. He was unresponsive and breathing erratically. His admission records state his ears and face were bruised and swollen, his nose was lacerated, his upper lip was lacerated, and there was a human bite mark on his forehead. There were also bite marks to his left wrist and left upper chest. After he was intubated, Doe was life flighted to a higher level of care.

On October 18, 2023, Doe was admitted to the Long-Term Care Hospital in Billings, Montana. He was diagnosed with traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. He was largely unresponsive to stimuli and completely nonverbal due to his traumatic brain injury. Doe died on December 11, 2023.

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

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BILLINGS – A New York woman accused of selling diet pills laced with methamphetamine through the mail admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

The defendant, Carrie Ann Taylor, 50, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud. Taylor faces 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing will be set at a later date. Taylor was released with conditions pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that on September 5, 2023, victim John Doe 1 submitted an online tip regarding the sale of diet pills laced with methamphetamine. John Doe 1 said he ordered “Skald” brand diet pills on eBay in February of 2023 and started taking them in May. John Doe 1 was drug tested by his employer in June and failed a drug test. John Doe 1 believed the “Skald” diet pills were laced with illegal drugs. An FBI special agent met with John Doe 1 and collected what was left of the “Skald” diet pills. The pills were tested and showed positive results for methamphetamine.

The investigation revealed Taylor also mailed diet pills to a woman in Montana, Jane Doe 1. Taylor sent Jane Doe 1 six bottles of pills labelled “Skald Oxydynamic Fat Scorcher” in March of 2023. Jane Doe 1 told the FBI she used the pills for several months but did not experience weight loss, so she stopped taking them. She threw out most of the remaining pills but still had one bottle. Agents took custody of the bottle, tested the pills, and determined they contained methamphetamine.

On April 3, 2024, an FBI undercover agent ordered two kinds of diet pills from Taylor’s eBay account, “PhenQ Ultra” and “PhenGold.” Both orders were sent to Billings, and both tested positive for methamphetamine. At the same time, agents ordered bottles of “PhenQ Ultra” and “PhenGold” directly from the manufacturers. Those pills tested negative for methamphetamine.

On April 4, 2024, agents learned Taylor sent Jane Doe 2, located in Randolph, Wisconsin, illicit diet pills. The FBI reached out to local law enforcement and were able to collect the pills from Jane Doe 2. They were tested and also tested positive for methamphetamine.

In total, the FBI collected pills from five separate shipments sent by Taylor. Some were sent in 2023 and some in 2024. Every single pill tested had methamphetamine in it. Taylor fraudulently sold every bottle of pills by falsely claiming the pills were legitimate diet supplements manufactured by real supplement companies including brand names “Skald,” “PhenQ,” and “PhenGold.” The pills were shipped and delivered in bottles falsely labelled as these products.

The FBI determined Taylor began selling the counterfeit diet pills through eBay on October 27, 2021 and continued to do so until April 5, 2024.

Several customers told Taylor her pills were counterfeit and one manufacturer sent her a cease-and-desist notice accusing her of selling counterfeit versions of their products. Taylor’s victims were harmed in various ways. John Doe 2, a member of the U.S. Army, tested positive for meth during a random urinalysis and had to spend a significant sum of money hiring a lawyer to defend against allegations he was abusing drugs. John Doe 3 reported being fired from his job after testing positive for meth following a workplace drug test.

During the entire scheme, Taylor sold approximately 1,517 bottles of counterfeit diet pills and made about $56,454.26 in profits.

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

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BILLINGS – A Billings woman accused of facilitating a carjacking resulting in death admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

The defendant, Violet Jeanee Littlelight, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking resulting in death. Littlelight faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing will be set at a later time. Littlelight was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that on May 16, 2025, Littlelight arranged for John Doe to pick her up at her residence in Billings. Prior to meeting Doe, Littlelight and co-defendants planned to rob Doe and take his truck. Once they took Doe’s truck, they planned to give it to a drug dealer in Hardin in exchange for drugs or money.

When Littlelight and her co-defendants arrived at the rendezvous point, Doe was suspicious. Littlelight vouched for the co-defendants and told Doe they just needed a ride. Based on her assurances, Doe let all three defendants into his truck.

When they arrived in an alley, Doe was directed to stop when he was stabbed approximately 20 times in his neck, chest, and stomach with a knife. The defendants removed Doe from the driver’s seat and left him in the alley, where he subsequently died from the stab wounds.

The defendants then drove Doe’s truck to Hardin. They changed their clothes and placed the bloody clothes in the truck. They then drove to a house on the Crow reservation. When they arrived, they decided they needed to clean the truck, so they used cleaning products they obtained from the owner of the house and threw their clothes and other incriminating evidence into a burn pit. As they were cleaning the truck, law enforcement officers arrived. The defendants fled, leaving the truck behind.                                         

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin Rubich and Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case. The FBI, Billings Police Department, and BIA conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS – A Billings man who distributed methamphetamine was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Logan Scott Bergren, 43, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

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

The government alleged in court documents that in May 2024, two separate sources of information reported Logan Bergren was selling methamphetamine and using CashApp to

conduct drug transactions. Law enforcement later searched the camper in which Bergren was living and seized over 100 grams of actual methamphetamine in the camper, two pistols, two shotguns, and ammunition. One of the women present at the camper told law enforcement she was there to purchase fentanyl from Bergren. In an interview with law enforcement, Bergren admitted to selling meth.

In January 2024, law enforcement searched Bergren’s hotel room at the Vegas motel in Billings. They located a small amount of methamphetamine and seized $2,500 from his jacket.

Text messages obtained through a search warrant confirmed Bergren was selling methamphetamine and fentanyl and using CashApp to accomplish sales. In those messages, Bergren often referred to methamphetamine as “clear” and fentanyl as “blues” or “blue skies.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The ATF, Billings Police Department and State of Montana Division of Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation.

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MISSOULA – A Washington man who was convicted of possessing drugs and guns was sentenced today to 194 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Felipe Michael Garza, 32, was found guilty by a jury of one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm in November 2025.

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

The government alleged in court documents and at trial that on August 13, 2024, Garza was seen driving a black Chevrolet Silverado. He failed to stop at a stop sign and did not have a rear license plate on the truck. Law enforcement initiated a traffic stop, and Garza pulled off on the lawn of a residence that was not his. The officer was advised Garza had a $1,000,000 warrant out of Washington and requested Garza step out of the truck. Garza seemed intent on giving his belongings to the other occupants of the truck. After being arrested, Garza admitted he had fentanyl in his fanny pack and that he had used methamphetamine approximately two hours prior. Garza also admitted there was marijuana and firearms in the truck.

Later that day, the truck and fanny pack were searched. Officers located a bag weighing 144.8 grams containing methamphetamine, a small baggie with 55 grams of suspected fentanyl pills, and $500 cash. The truck contained two firearms in the console, approximately three pounds of marijuana, a blue notebook, a scale, miscellaneous drug paraphernalia, and $1881.00 cash. The notebook contained drug prices related to various drug types and amounts.

Garza has prior convictions for several felony offenses that prohibit him from possessing firearms.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and Polson Police Department conducted the investigation.

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MISSOULA – A Plains man who was prohibited from owning firearms was sentenced today to 84 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Graham Anthony Bowden, 49, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and two counts of possession of an unregistered silencer.

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

The government alleged in court documents that in the fall of 2024, law enforcement officers encountered Bowden in several instances in which they either observed him to be armed with a firearm or with firearms accessories. Based in part on those incidents, a federal search warrant was obtained to search Bowden’s residence, which was a camper parked on the property of Bowden’s friend. Also on the property was a freestanding home belonging to Bowden’s friend.

Agents located eight firearms belonging to Bowden, along with two silencers and assorted ammunition.

Law enforcement interviewed Bowden and he admitted he owned the firearms had been meaning to register them. Bowden acknowledged he had signed paperwork related to his California convictions that prohibited him from possessing firearms but said he thought his rights had been automatically restored at some point. Bowden produced no paperwork to support that assertion.

Bowden also admitted to possessing the two silencers, saying one came with a firearm he purchased and that the other was a blank. Bowden said he didn’t know suppressors were federally controlled and needed to be registered. The silencers were not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

On January 6, 2012, Bowden was convicted of six counts of robbery in the second degree with a firearms enhancement in Orange County Superior Court of California and sentenced to 12 years in prison. He was paroled from custody in 2020. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney prosecuted the case. The ATF, Plains Police Department, and Sanders County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation.

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BILLINGS – A Billings woman who distributed methamphetamine was sentenced today to 87 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Rita Denny, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

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

The government alleged in court documents that on September 21, 2022, law enforcement officers arranged to purchase methamphetamine and fentanyl from a co-defendant. Agents arrived and arrested the co-defendant, who was in possession of 50 fentanyl pills and approximately 64 grams of meth. The co-defendant’s passenger told agents “Rita” supplied the drugs to the co-defendant.

Agents obtained a search warrant for the co-defendant’s phone and located messages between the co-defendant and Rita Denny. Those messages indicated Denny was supplying the co-defendant with drugs and dictating the price at which the co-defendant should sell the drugs.

On September 30, 2022, agents obtained a search warrant for Denny’s residence. They seized 179.9 grams of methamphetamine and $5,694 in cash. Denny agreed to speak with agents and admitted to traveling to California to purchase bulk amounts of methamphetamine. Specifically, she told agents she took two recent trips to California to purchase five pounds of methamphetamine each time.

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

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BILLINGS – A Mexican man who was illegally in the United States after being removed was sentenced today to time served, 161 days, and remanded to the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

David Antonio Molina-Mendoza, 38, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to illegal reentry of removed alien.

U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided.

The government alleged in court documents that on September 19, 2025, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle driven by the defendant on Interstate 90 near Forsyth. Officers requested a records check on Molina-Mendoza and learned he was in the United States illegally. Records revealed Molina-Mendoza was a citizen of Mexico who had previously been removed from the United States on four separate occasions and had no documentation to reside in the United States legally.

Molina-Mendoza was taken into custody by Border Patrol Agents. In an interview with agents, Molina-Mendoza acknowledged he entered the United States illegally.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. U.S. Border Patrol and Rosebud County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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MISSOULA – A man originally from India who stole over $1.7 million from the elderly was sentenced today to 72 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Zabi Ullah Mohammed, 29, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud after trial in October 2025.

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

The government alleged in court documents, and at trial, that Zabi Ullah Mohammed was a courier connected to an India-based scheme designed to steal from the elderly across the United States. Although the scheme contained many different variations, the ultimate end was that victims were fraudulently led to believe it was necessary to withdraw money and other assets from various financial institutions and provide it to a “federal agent” purportedly for “safekeeping.” In reality, there was no “federal agent” and the money that victims provided to Mohammed under this pretense was simply stolen from the victims.

Authorities discovered Mohammed as a conspirator in this case because a victim in Missoula reported she was defrauded of over $900,000. To catch the fraudsters involved, law enforcement set up a ruse pickup in Missoula with a package that contained a tracking device. Mohammed arrived and picked up the package of what he believed was cash. When Mohammed discovered the tracker inside, he threw the package out of his vehicle and attempted to flee.  When arrested, Mohammed attempted to claim he was a victim of this scheme as well; however, a trial jury found that Mohammed was, in fact, a member of the conspiracy.

Victims in this case lost over $3,900,000, and Mohammed personally retrieved approximately $1,700,933 in gold and U.S. currency.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katy Stack prosecuted the case. The FBI and Missoula County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

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