District of Montana

Helena—A Montana psychiatrist who admitted to unlawfully prescribing and abusing an opioid was sentenced today to five years of probation and ordered to pay a fine of $4,000, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.  In addition, as part of his sentence the psychiatrist cannot prescribe any controlled substance during his five years of probation. 

Richard E. Mitchell, 35, pleaded guilty in March to unlawful possession of a controlled substance. 

U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon presided. 

In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said that Mitchell is a physician who was previously employed as a psychiatrist at the VA Medical Center at Fort Harrison near Helena.  On April 24, 2019, Mitchell wrote a prescription for Norco, which contains the opioid Hydrocodone and is a controlled substance, for a woman who was not a patient of the VA Medical Center.  Mitchell was with the woman at the pharmacy when she filled the prescription, where the pharmacist recognized Mitchell and noted his unusual behavior.  After obtaining the prescription, Mitchell and the woman later crushed some of the opioid pills and snorted them. 

Law enforcement was notified by the pharmacist who filled the opioid prescription of Mitchell’s erratic behavior while at the pharmacy.  When questioned by law enforcement, Mitchell admitted that he was in a romantic relationship with the woman and that they had crushed and snorted some pills containing Hydrocodone. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Kakuk and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Dishong prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

GREAT FALLS -- The U.S. Attorney’s Office today announced that Mitchell Joseph Wright. 40, of Los Angeles, CA, appeared on Monday on a criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

If convicted of the most serious crime, Wright faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. The charging documents are merely accusations and Wright is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided and continued Wright's detention pending further proceedings.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Service, Russell Country Drug Task Force, Cascade County Sheriff's Office and Great Falls Police Department investigated the case.

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MISSOULA—For the second straight year, murders, robberies and aggravated assaults in Missoula County have decreased as law enforcement continues investigating and prosecuting methamphetamine trafficking, firearms offenses and armed robberies through Project Safe Neighborhoods, announced federal, state and local prosecutors today.

Crime statistics show that in Missoula County, these violent crimes decreased by 9.2 percent in the 12-month period ending May 2020. Overall, violent crime has decreased 25.7 percent since PSN was launched in May 2018, and 85 fewer people were the victim of a violent crime than in the 12 months before PSN began.

PSN is a reinvigorated U.S. Department of Justice initiative that targets the most violent criminals in high-crime areas and works with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and community partners to reduce crime.

PSN Missoula County’s partners include the U.S. Attorney’s Office; Missoula  County Attorney’s Office; Montana Department of Justice’s Prosecution Services Bureau, Highway Patrol and Division of Criminal Investigation; the Montana Department of Correction’s Adult Probation and Parole Division; the Missoula Police Department; the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office; Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Marshal’s Service.

"The continuing decline in violent crime in Missoula County is great news for the community. This focus on taking meth dealers and the most dangerous offenders off the street is working. But we're not done. We also must reduce demand for meth through a comprehensive prevention, treatment and diversion plan. I want to recognize the cooperation and hard work of all of our PSN partners for making Missoula County a safer place to live," U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

“Our continued success in reducing violent crime in Missoula County is due to hard work, multi-agency collaboration, and targeted enforcement,” Montana Attorney General Tim Fox said. “I am proud of our city, county, state, and federal law enforcement officers and prosecutors and the great results we have achieved working together.”

"Working together with our law enforcement and justice partners is beginning to pay off.  We’re bringing the highest risk offenders to justice while, at the same time, building a foundation for local drug treatment and prevention efforts.  I am proud of our law enforcement team’s great work,” Missoula County Attorney, Kirsten Pabst said.

From 2011 to 2017, the City of Missoula’s violent crime rate had increased 49 percent. Methamphetamine was identified as a primary cause of the increase.

In the 24 months PSN has been in effect, Missoula’s murders, robberies and aggravated assaults have fallen 25.7 percent to 246 crimes.

Since May 1, 2018, the U.S. Attorney’s office has charged 73 defendants with federal meth trafficking, armed robbery and firearms crimes.

In addition, 60 pounds of meth, representing 217,440 doses and having an estimated $450,000 street value, have been seized in the federal cases. Law enforcement officers also have seized 65 firearms, including three semi-automatic assault-style rifles. The U.S. Marshals Service Violent Offender Task force has served 938 federal and state warrants on violent offenders in Missoula County.

Since May 2018, Missoula County Attorney's Office has charged 39 persons identified as high risk with charges including meth or heroin possession, assault with a weapon, burglary, deliberate homicide and strangulation.

In addition to continuing its enforcement strategy to further cut the violent crime rate by reducing the meth supply, PSN is working with a community coalition called Missoula Substance Abuse Connect. A coalition of more than 30 nonprofit and government organizations, coordinated by United Way of Missoula County, has formed to develop a community plan to reduce the demand for meth through prevention and treatment.

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

Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on June 25 was:

Cheyenne Willow Ironshell, 22, of Butte, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ironshell faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Ironshell was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-31.

Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on June 25 was:

Joshua Patrick Vanatta, 30, of Bainville, on charges of prohibited person in possession of ammunition and possession of a destructive device. If convicted of the most serious crime, Vanatta faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Vanatta was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-40.

Jalissa Haley Fern Spotted Bear, 31, of Wolf Point, on charges of robbery and assault with intent to commit robbery. If convicted of the most serious crime, Spotted Bear faces a maximum 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Spotted Bear was released pending further proceedings. The Fort Peck Department of Law and Justice investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-28.

If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.

To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

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BILLINGS – A former Rocky Mountain Bank loan officer accused of approving loans to a bank customer while at the same time profiting from private, undisclosed loans to the customer today pleaded guilty to fraud crimes, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Stephen Phillip Casher, 46, pleaded guilty to bank fraud and to money laundering. Casher faces a maximum 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine and five years of supervised release.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters set sentencing for Nov. 5 and continued Casher's release.

Casher was charged in a 14-count superseding indictment alleging bank fraud and related crimes. A jury trial began on June 22. The prosecution and Casher reached a plea agreement during trial.

The prosecution presented evidence in court records and at trial that Casher worked as a market president for Rocky Mountain Bank (RMB) from about November 2011 until January 2017. During that time, Casher was one of the people responsible for approving bank loans to Larry Price, Jr. or one of Price's related companies. Casher, along with several private investors, also made large, private, high interest loans to Price. Though Casher helped approve many bank loans to Price, neither Casher nor Price disclosed the private loans to RMB. Casher never informed RMB that he had a conflict of interest that might impair his impartiality in reviewing loans involving Price.

In September 2014, RMB loaned H&P Investments $3.75 million. Price controlled H&P investments and acted as an unlimited guarantor of the loan. Casher was one of the bank officials who approved this loan and was responsible for collecting Price's personal financial statement and providing it to the bank. A few days before the bank loan, Casher, along with a private investor, privately loaned Price $900,000. The private loan was specifically concealed and omitted from the personal financial statement that Casher had arranged for Price to sign on the same day the private loan was executed, resulting in a false entry in RMB's books.

In June 2015, RMB loaned Seven Lands Holdings approximately $1.18 million. Price controlled Seven Lands Holdings and acted as a personal guarantor of the loan. Price used the loan to buy five houses and turn them into rental properties. In early 2015, several private investors associated with Casher loaned Price $1.5 million. Casher brokered this deal and eventually received $20,000 as a "thank you" from the private investors.

One of homes Seven Lands Holdings was buying belonged to Casher and, as a result, he was removed from RMB's chain of approval. Nevertheless, Casher provided lender information on the loan and was involved in preparing loan documents. Neither Casher nor Price informed RMB about the $1.5 million private loan before the bank loaned Seven Lands Holdings $1.18 million. RMB's entry misrepresented Price's net worth and liquidity. Casher personally profited from this RMB loan because he received a large portion of loan funds from the sale of his house.

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

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BILLINGS – The Department of Justice‘s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) this week announced nearly $42 million in funding to support state-level law enforcement agencies in combating the illegal manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, and prescription opioids. 

In the District of Montana, the Montana Department of Justice will receive $1 million in funding to support investigations into methamphetamine trafficking.

"I am pleased the Montana DOJ will receive this COPS funding to help combat methamphetamine trafficking across our state. Methamphetamine is Montana's number one drug problem and contributes to violent crime across the state. These funds will make a difference," U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

"Meth is killing Montanans and inflicting tremendous damage to our families and communities. I am grateful that the US Department of Justice has extended and expanded the anti-meth grant funding that we first received in 2018. We will use these new funds, in conjunction with 2019 state legislation, to create an additional criminal interdiction team focused on stopping drug traffickers," Montana Attorney General Tim Fox said.

“The scourge of opioid and methamphetamine use continues to take a devastating toll on our nation’s communities,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith.  “By providing these resources to law enforcement to help combat the further spread, the COPS Office is demonstrating our commitment to this Administration’s priority of reducing drug use and protecting our citizens from this public health and safety crisis.”

Drug overdose deaths and opioid-involved deaths continue to increase in the United States.  Deaths from drug overdose are up among both men and women, all races, and adults of nearly all ages, with more than three out of five drug overdose deaths involving an opioid.  More than 130 people die every day in the United States after overdosing on opioids, while methamphetamine continues to be one of the most commonly misused stimulant drugs in the world and is the drug that most contributes to violent crime.

Through the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP), the COPS Office is awarding $12 million to 12 state law enforcement agencies.  These state agencies have demonstrated numerous seizures of precursor chemicals, finished methamphetamine, laboratories, and laboratory dump seizures.  State agencies are being awarded three years of funding through CAMP to support the location or investigation of illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine, including precursor diversion, laboratories, or methamphetamine trafficking.

The Montana Department of Justice is being awarded $1 million through the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP).

The COPS Office also is awarding more than $29.7 million in grant funding to 14 state law enforcement agency task forces through the Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF).  AHTF provides three years of funding directly to state-level law enforcement agencies with multijurisdictional reach and interdisciplinary team (e.g., task force) structures, in states with high per capita rates of primary treatment admissions for heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, and other opioids.  This funding will support the location or investigation of illicit activities through statewide collaboration related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.

The AHTF and CAMP funding has a tremendous impact on state investigative and seizure work.  During the five month period between October 2019 and February 2020, current AHTF grantees reported the seizure of over $4 million in cash and 1,213 firearms.  Similarly, for CAMP, grantees reported seizures of more than $7 million in cash and 1,577 firearms.

The complete list of COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/camp-award

The complete list of Anti-Heroin Task Force Program award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here:  https://cops.usdoj.gov/ahtf-award

The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 135,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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GREAT FALLS—A Cut Bank man who admitted posting messages on a website offering to trade child pornography and illegally possessing firearms was sentenced on Monday to five years in prison and 10 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Shawn Andrew Andersen, 42, pleaded guilty in March to attempted receipt and distribution of child pornography and to prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

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

In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said that in September 2018, Andersen posted messages on a website offering to trade child pornography. Andersen's messages said he had child pornography links to share with other users or that he was seeking child pornography links in return for sending his own links. Andersen posted his online identity information so others could contact him to trade child pornography links.

Law enforcement agents served a search warrant on Andersen's residence on May 16, 2019 and found four rifles in a gun safe and a rifle in his vehicle. At the time Andersen possessed the firearms, he knew he had been dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Army and was prohibited from possessing them.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee Peterson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.

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

This case also is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative launched in the fall of 2019 to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Through Project Guardian, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Montana is working to enhance coordination of its federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. In addition, Project Guardian supports information sharing and taking action when individuals are denied a firearm purchase by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for mental health reasons or because they are a prohibited person.

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

Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on June 15 was:

Terry Lee Wells, Jr., 34, of Havre, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Wells faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. Wells was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Great Falls Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tri-Agency Drug Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-36.

Randal James Whitford, 37, of Box Elder, on charges of possession with intent to distribute meth and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Whitford faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Whitford was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Tri-Agency Drug Task Force and Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-37.

Appearing on June 18 was:

Kyle Frank Russette, 25, of Box Elder, on charges of possession with intent to distribute meth, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Russette faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Russette was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-29.

If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.

To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

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BILLINGS – A Lame Deer man today admitted allegations that he attempted to sexually abuse a minor in 2018, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Jason Jay Tallbull, 39, pleaded guilty to attempted sexual abuse of a minor. Tallbull faces a maximum 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years to a lifetime of supervised release.

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

The prosecution said in court records that Tallbull and the victim, a boy who was between the ages of 12 and 16, were at Tallbull's residence on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in December 2018. Tallbull was drunk and the victim joined him in the basement, where both were drinking and talking. At some point, the victim tried to leave, but Tallbull made a sexually-charged comment and grabbed the victim's hand to pull him close. The victim tried to resist and hit Tallbull, but Tallbull overpowered the victim and knocked him out.  

The victim woke up on Tallbull's bed and was not wearing the same clothes. The victim had injuries on various areas of his body and underwent a sexual assault examination. Law enforcement responded to Tallbull's house. Blood samples from Tallbull's mattress belonged to both the victim and Tallbull.

When interviewed by the FBI, Tallbull said he and the victim had been drinking in the basement. He said he did not remember exactly what occurred, but that he felt like something happened. Tallbull admitted he was probably physically attracted to the victim.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Dake is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.

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GREAT FALLS– A Wolf Point man and former tribal police officer who admitted touching a child’s genitals on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation was sentenced today to time served of 324 days in custody and two years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Mychal Thomas Damon, 28, pleaded guilty in February to felony child abuse.

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

The prosecution said in court records that the crime occurred in May 2018 when the victim, who was under the age of 14, and her mother spent the night at Damon’s house. During the night, the victim got up and sat with Damon on a recliner. Damon placed his hand inside the girl’s shorts and touched her in the genital area.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cassady Adams and Lori Suek prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and the Wolf Point Police Department.

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WASHINGTON—The Department of Justice this week announced the launch of the Civil Rights Reporting Portal. This new online tool will make it easier for the public to report a civil rights violation.

“The department is committed to upholding the civil and constitutional rights of all people in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Reporting Portal will make it easier for the public to connect with us, which in turn makes us more effective at upholding these important rights. I encourage the public to use this portal to report civil rights violations.”

“We hold our civil and constitutional rights dear.  Montanan’s who have suffered a violation of those rights can now use this portal to report them, including voting, housing and land use, lending and credit, public accommodations, education,  employment, policing, prisons, disability and service member rights and more." U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said today.

The new Civil Rights Reporting Portal – located at civilrights.justice.gov – will consolidate over 30 unique reporting pathways. The portal will dramatically ease the burden on victims of civil rights violations to identify the proper reporting channel. The form is fully accessible to people with disabilities. It is also available in both English and Spanish, with more languages to be added over the next year.

Individuals who believe they may have been a victim of a civil rights violation can learn how to report violations to the Department by visiting civilrights.justice.gov.  When appropriate, the Civil Rights Division staff will refer complainants to other agencies that are responsible for handling specific types of complaints. 

Individuals who believe they are a victim of criminal violation of their civil rights, such as misconduct by law enforcement officers, a hate crime, or human trafficking, should contact their local FBI office.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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HELENA—A Helena man who admitted sending threatening text messages and participating in an armed robbery of a couple involved in heroin trafficking last year was sentenced today to 11 years and seven months in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Kielan Brett Franklin, 34, pleaded guilty in January to robbery affecting commerce and possession of a firearm in furtherance of violence.

U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon presided.

The prosecution said in court records that Franklin provided a couple with $1,200 to go to Washington to buy an ounce of heroin. The couple returned with less than an ounce because the price was higher in Washington. When the couple did not immediately give Franklin the heroin, Franklin began sending the couple threatening text messages on March 7, 2019.

Several hours later, on March 8, 2019, Franklin's girlfriend and co-defendant, Arielle Rose Cowser, knocked on the couple's door and said she needed to enter because Franklin had broken up with her. The female victim let Cowser enter and a short time later, Cowser let in Franklin and two other co-defendants, Gerald Allen Hiler and Morgan Victor Pitsch.

Hiler brandished a handgun and Pitsch possessed one during the robbery. Both wore masks. The defendants fled when they realized the female victim had called 911. The robbers took a small amount of heroin, the female victim’s wedding ring, her cell phone and a purse.

Hiler and Pitsch pleaded guilty to charges in the case. Hiler was sentenced to 11 years and seven months in prison, while Pitsch was sentenced to six years and six months in prison. Cowser was convicted by a jury of charges for her role in the crime and was sentenced to one year and one day in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tom Bartleson and Tim Racicot prosecuted the case, which was investigated by FBI, Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri River Drug Task Force.

This case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative launched in the fall of 2019 to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Through Project Guardian, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Montana is working to enhance coordination of its federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. In addition, Project Guardian supports information sharing and taking action when individuals are denied a firearm purchase by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for mental health reasons or because they are a prohibited person.

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BILLINGS—A Bozeman man who landed a helicopter in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in May has paid the maximum $500 fine, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said today.

Samuel L. Schwerin, 48, of Bozeman, received the notice for the violation, a federal misdemeanor, after landing a helicopter on the South Fork of the Flathead River in the Bob Marshall Wilderness on May 16.

The U.S. Forest Service investigated the incident after receiving a report on May 19 by a person traveling on horseback and who saw a helicopter parked on a gravel bar on the South Fork of the Flathead River.

The Forest Service, in consultation with the U.S. Attorney's Office, issued Schwerin the violation notice, which was processed on June 12 through the U.S. Courts' Central Violations Bureau (CVB). The CVB handles violation notices issued and processes payments for infractions committed on federal property. The Code of Federal Regulations identifies penalties for this violation under 36 CFR section 261.1b. The maximum penalty is a $500 fine, six months in prison or both.

"Wilderness areas were created to be free of motorized activity, including helicopters. Montanans cherish places like the Bob Marshall not only for their spectacular mountains, rivers, meadows and wildlife but also for the quiet and solitude they provide. People who violate the wilderness regulations will be investigated and prosecuted," U.S. Attorney Alme said.

“We take concerns about the proper use of our national forests and wilderness areas very seriously,” said Flathead National Forest Supervisor Kurt Steele. “Many members of the public took the time to share their thoughts on the incident and their appreciation for the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. It is a world-renowned jewel that plays an important role in our landscape level ecosystem and our tourism economy.

"We appreciate the public reporting these types of incidents so our Forest Service law enforcement professionals and partners at the Department of Justice can investigate and appropriately prosecute them,” Steele said.  

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GREAT FALLS – A Box Elder man accused of having sex with a minor pleaded guilty on Monday to charges, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Christopher Brown, 32, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography and sexual abuse of a minor. Brown faces a maximum 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the sexual abuse of a minor charge and a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release on the child pornography charge.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Judge Morris set sentencing for Sept. 30. Brown was detained.

The prosecution said in court documents that on Jan. 21, a Rocky Boy's Police Department officer was on patrol at about 11 p.m. on Lower Box Elder Road on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation when he observed a vehicle parked at the rodeo grounds. Because there was no rodeo occurring at that time of night, the officer decided to check on the vehicle. As the officer approached, the vehicle's headlights came on and the driver attempted to drive away. The officer initiated a traffic stop.

As the officer approached the vehicle, he observed the back windows were fogged over. Brown identified himself as the driver. Reclined in the passenger seat was a minor female, identified in court records as Jane Doe. At the time, Jane Doe was between the ages of 12 and 16. Brown and the minor girl told the officer separately that the other had initiated their meeting that night. The officer arrested Brown on an outstanding warrant.

In an interview with the FBI, Brown admitted he had been in a sexual relationship with Jane Doe since 2018, and had had sexual intercourse with her six times on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation. Brown also admitted to making a video of a recent sexual encounter with Doe and that the video was on his cell phone.

Jane Doe confirmed that she had had sexual intercourse with Brown several times and that Brown had made a video recording of them having sex in January 2020.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Cobell is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services.

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BILLINGS—A Billings man who admitted trafficking methamphetamine he received through the mail was sentenced today to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Jose Antonio Escobedo, 48, pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth.

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

In court records filed in the case, the prosecution said drug task force agents developed information that Escobedo was wiring large sums of money to McAllen, Texas, a border city known for drugs. Agents suspected he was receiving drugs through the mail.

 In August 2019, the U.S. Postal Inspector contacted law enforcement regarding a suspicious package sent to Escobedo from McAllen, Texas. A search warrant served on the package found that it contained a vacuum sealed package of meth. The package was delivered to Escobedo's residence. After Escobedo retrieved the package, law enforcement officers served a search warrant for the residence. Agents located the package in the bedroom. The package contained 163.8 grams of meth. Escobedo also had $9,574 on his person. In addition, agents located wire transfers dating to May 2019. The transfers corresponded with packages Escobedo received from Texas.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Patten prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI Transnational Organized Crime West Task Force and the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

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HELENA – A former GardaWorld employee convicted at trial of spending stolen money from an armored truck on gambling, day trading and a trip to France, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

After a four day trial in January, a jury found John Gregory Alexander Herrin, 30, of Helena, guilty of one count of interstate transportation of stolen property and eight counts of money laundering.

U.S. Judge Sam E. Haddon presided.

In evidence presented at trial, the prosecution said that on Nov. 20, 2013, three bags containing $390,000 went missing from a GardaWorld truck. Helena employees initially loaded the money into a truck and drove to Missoula, where they met Missoula employees and transferred some currency bags to another truck for local delivery. While in Missoula, the Helena employees left their truck locked, but unattended, several times while servicing banks and ATMs before continuing to Kalispell. After arriving in Kalispell, employees discovered three bags containing $390,000 were missing.

Herrin worked for Garda from 2012 until 2014. An internal investigation by Garda was unable to definitively implicate anyone in the theft.

Not long after the theft, the prosecution said, Herrin’s financial situation drastically changed.

Herrin went to Las Vegas twice in 2014, stayed in a high-end casino, gambled and went shopping with a female companion. He made large cash deposits at the casino and bought a watch for $22,600 with cash.  On return from his first trip, Herrin deposited a casino cashier’s check for $123,500 and $37,350 cash, for a total of $160,870, into his checking account. Prior to the deposit, Herrin’s account had a $945.65 balance.

Herrin told the bank teller he went to Las Vegas with $500 and won $160,000 gambling. While the teller was counting the cash, a Garda courier came into the bank to make a pick up. Herrin walked away from the counter and sat at an online banking station until the courier left. He then returned to the counter to complete his transaction.

On his second trip to Las Vegas, Herrin’s buy in at the casino was $50,100 cash and he lost $50,000. He also used his Visa credit card to buy more than $30,000 in merchandize from luxury retail stores and transferred money from his checking account to pay down the card balance.

After the second Las Vegas trip, Herrin went to his bank with a shoe box full of $20 bills for deposit into his checking account. The day before the deposit, the account balance was $3,550. Herrin told the teller he wasn’t sure how much money was in the box but that he had “another big score” in Vegas. He thought he had about $120,000.

Herrin told the teller he didn’t have a job but was doing some day trading. During the transaction, another Garda courier entered the bank. Herrin had already turned his back on the courier, seemingly in an effort not to be seen by the Garda employee.

In addition to the Las Vegas trips, Herrin started day trading in 2014. He opened an account with Ameritrade, deposited $111,100 and had significant losses. His losses were inconsistent with statements he made to bank employees that he was making money day trading.

In March 2014, Herrin traveled to France with a female companion and charged the trip to his Visa card. The trip cost more than $20,000.

Herrin then moved to Springfield, MO, and used his Visa card to enroll in college and for living expenses.

By the fall, Herrin’s financial situation became dire. In January 2015, he owed $17,753 on his Visa card, and in February 2015, Ford Motor Credit repossessed his car, which he had purchased about one month before the Garda theft.

In interviews with law enforcement, all of the Garda employees denied knowledge about and involvement in the disappearance of the $390,000. A former employee, who was also a roommate of Herrin’s, indicated that Herrin had showed him a casino check for gambling proceeds purportedly won in January 2014. He also indicated Garda employees left trucks unattended from time to time against company policy and that a broom handle could be used to unlock the trucks. The former employee also told law enforcement he had seen Herrin unlock a truck using a broom handle.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tim Racicot and Michael Kakuk prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and the Secret Service.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme joined Attorney General William P. Barr and the entire Department of Justice in observing the 15th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Department echoes voices around the world condemning elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our country and the world, but among those most severely affected by the threat of the novel virus are our senior citizens. During this time when seniors are most vulnerable and isolated from their families and loved ones by social distancing and quarantine restrictions, bad actors have immediately exploited this international tragedy to prey on the elderly through a whole host of scam and fraud schemes. As the world takes this day to remember the elderly during these uncertain times, the Department of Justice remains relentlessly committed, through its department-wide Elder Justice Initiative, to prevent and prosecute fraud on America’s seniors.

The Bureau of Justice Statistics National Crime Victimization Survey in 2014 estimated that more than 13 percent of seniors are victims of financial fraud annually, and only one in 44 cases of financial abuse is reported. Montana, Maine and Florida have the largest proportion of residents age 65 and older, at 19 percent.  Montana also has the sixth highest proportion of seniors living alone, at almost 30 percent.

"All of us in Montana need to be vigilant to protect our large number of senior friends, family and neighbors.  We not only have a high percentage of seniors living alone, but the coronavirus also has isolated many even further and generated a host of new scams targeting them.  If you are a victim of fraud or abuse, or you know someone who may be – report it," U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.  “We will prosecute senior scams to the full extent of the law.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has brought federal charges in several cases of elder fraud.  In two recent cases:

• A former loan officer for a Billings bank admitted to stealing more than $243,000 in customer funds for his own benefit. One of the customers was a mentally incompetent elderly man. When confronted, the loan officer made misrepresentations to hide the thefts. The loan officer was sentenced in January to 57 months in prison and ordered to pay $195,949 restitution.
• A Fairfield man, who posed as a financial services manager, stole more than $700,000 from a Montana family and then spent the money for his own benefit. The offender was convicted and sentenced to 28 months in prison and ordered to pay $719,340 restitution to the family and $165,195 restitution to the IRS. 

The U.S. Attorney's Office and Department of Justice also have produced a Public Service Announcement to help fight elder fraud. The PSA may be viewed here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/video/district-montana-elder-fraud-psa-60-seconds

Earlier this year Attorney General Barr declared “Prevention and Disruption of Transnational Elder Fraud” to be an Agency Priority Goal, making it one of the Department’s four top priorities.

Major strides have already been made to that end:

• Eastern Montana Elder Justice Council: Created in 2019 to address exploitation, abuse and neglect of Montana's aging population. The task force is composed of members representing public and private sectors in areas of criminal and civil law, finance, health care, insurance and general senior and disability services and advocacy.

• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)

Earlier this year Attorney General Barr launched a Nationa1Elder Fraud Hotline. Staffed by experienced case managers who provide personalized support to callers, the hotline serves to assist elders and caretakers who believe they have been a victim of fraud by reporting and providing appropriate service. The online link to the hotline is: https://stopelderfraud.ovc.ojp.gov/.

• Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force: Established in June 2019 to combat foreign elder fraud schemes, the Strike Force is composed of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and six U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along with FBI special agents, Postal Inspectors, and numerous other law enforcement personnel.  Since its inception, prosecutors in Strike Force districts brought cases against more than 140 sweep defendants.

• Annual Elder Justice Sweep: In March of this year, the Attorney General announced the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in department history. The Department, together with every U.S. Attorney’s office, charged more than 400 defendants, causing over $1 billion in loss through fraud schemes that largely affected seniors.

• Money Mule Initiative: Since October 2018, the Department and its law enforcement partners began a concentrated effort across the country and around the world to disrupt, investigate, and prosecute money mule activity used to facilitate fraud schemes, especially those victimizing senior citizens. In 2019 actions were taken to halt the conduct of more than 600 domestic money mules, exceeding a similar effort against approximately 400 mules in the previous year.

• Holding foreign-based perpetrators and those that flee the United States accountable: Transnational criminal organizations are targeting our elder population in schemes including mass mailing fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, lottery and sweepstakes scams, IRS and Social Security Administration imposter scams, and technical-support scams.

For more information on enforcement actions, training and resources, research, and victim services, please visit www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

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

Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on June 8 was:

Richard Morris Little Nest, 29, a transient, on charges of possession of an unregistered firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Little Nest faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Little Nest was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-44.

Christopher Michael Emter, 41, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Emter faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Emter was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-43.

Appearing on June 9 was:

Anthony Dwayne Boldt, 43, of Glendive, on charges of production of child pornography, possession of child porn and attempted witness tampering. If convicted of the most serious crime, Boldt faces a minimum mandatory 15 years to 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine plus a $5,000 special assessment and five years to life of supervised release. Boldt was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-35.

Appearing on June 10 was:

Chad Henry Swoboda, 36, of Billings, on charges of felon in possession, and false statement during a firearms transaction. If convicted of the most serious crime, Swoboda faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Swoboda was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.  Pacer case reference. 20-47.

Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on June 9 was:

Rhonda Lee Mueller, 60, of Bozeman, on charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Mueller faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. The U.S. Postal Service, Missouri River Drug Task Force and FBI investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-08.

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

Joshua Patrick Vanatta, 30, of Bainville, on charges of possession of ammunition by a felon, possession of an unregistered firearm and possession of a firearm without a serial number. If convicted of the most serious crime, Vanatta faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Vanatta was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-39.

If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.

To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

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HELENA—A Helena woman convicted by a jury of participating in an armed home invasion to rob a couple involved in trafficking heroin was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

After a three-day trial in February, a jury found Arielle Rose Cowser, 27, guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery affecting commerce and robbery affecting commerce.

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

In evidence presented at trial, the prosecution said the FBI learned of a home invasion robbery in Helena in which the victims, a couple, were involved in trafficking heroin. Co-defendant Kielan Brett Franklin, who pleaded guilty and is pending sentencing, provided the couple money to travel to Washington to buy an ounce of heroin. The couple returned to Montana with less than an ounce. When the couple did not immediately turn over the heroin, Franklin sent them threatening text messages.

On March 8, 2019, Cowser went to the victims’ residence and asked to enter, saying she had broken up with Franklin. The female victim let Cowser inside and a few minutes later, Cowser let in Franklin and two other co-defendants, Gerald Allen Hiler and Morgan Victor Pitsch. Hiler and Pitsch, who also pleaded guilty, wore masks. Hiler was sentenced to 11 years and seven months in prison, while Pitsch was sentenced to six years and six months in prison.

Hiler brandished a handgun and Pitsch possessed one during the robbery. The defendants fled when they realized the female victim had called 911. The robbers took a small amount of heroin, the female victim’s wedding ring, her cell phone and a purse.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tom Bartleson and Tim Racicot prosecuted the case, which was investigated by FBI, Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri River Drug Task Force.

This case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative launched in the fall of 2019 to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Through Project Guardian, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Montana is working to enhance coordination of its federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. In addition, Project Guardian supports information sharing and taking action when individuals are denied a firearm purchase by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for mental health reasons or because they are a prohibited person.

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BILLINGS – A Billings woman accused of taking three people to the bus station in Billings for a trip to Georgia to engage in commercial sexual activity pleaded guilty to charges today, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Destiny Lachelle Nilsen, also known as "Diamond", 26, pleaded guilty to transportation of a person with intent to engage in prostitution. Nilsen faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. Nilsen was released pending further proceedings.

Court records filed by the prosecution said the evidence showed that in August 2019 Nilsen was affiliated with a co-defendant and was aware that the co-defendant was involved in commercial sex in Billings and elsewhere, including other states.

In August 2019, Nilsen drove the co-defendant and two women, identified as Jane Does, to the bus station. The co-defendant and the two Jane Does were going to Georgia to engage in commercial sex. Prostitution is illegal in Georgia. In a subsequent jail call, Nilsen admitted her participation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno Baucus and Bryan Dake are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.

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GREAT FALLS—A Poplar man who admitted sexually abusing a child was sentenced today to four years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, U. S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Lloyd Wallace Youpee, 93, pleaded guilty in January to abusive sexual contact.

U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided.

The prosecution said in court documents that the sexual contact occurred on or about February 2018 to December 2018 in Poplar on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Youpee had sexual contact with the victim, who was under the age of 12. Youpee initially denied touching the victim but then admitted to the sexual assault. During an interview with investigators, Youpee indicated that he did not want kids to be around him while he is drinking. He told investigators that he knows how he is, clarifying that he likes sex.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassady Adams prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice.

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BILLINGS – A Billings man accused of multiple crimes concerning an investigation into coercion of minors, sex trafficking, and child pornography appeared for arraignment today, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Brandon Frank Stricker, 47, pleaded not guilty to a seven-count indictment charging him with coercion and enticement, receipt of child pornography, attempted sex trafficking of a minor, animal crushing and attempted witness tampering.

If convicted of the most serious crime, Stricker faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release.

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

The indictment is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The indictment alleges that Stricker used the Internet, Facebook, and a cellular telephone to coerce four individuals who were younger than age 18 to engage in sexual activity from about June 2018 to about April 2020. The indictment charges Stricker with receiving child pornography by a computer and attempting to traffic a minor girl for commercial sex. In addition, the indictment charges Stricker with creating animal crush videos and with attempting to tamper with a witness.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.

Pacer case reference. 20-46.

If the above case is f interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor its progress through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.

To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

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GREAT FALLS – A Shelby woman convicted of firearms crimes for lying while buying a handgun and then giving it to a juvenile was sentenced on June 4 to six months in prison, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

During a two-day trial in January, a jury found Susan Kaytlin Scott, 52, guilty of false statement during a firearms transaction and of transfer of a handgun to a juvenile, as charged in an indictment.

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

In evidence presented at trial, the prosecution said Scott bought a Taurus 9mm handgun for a 17-year-old boy on Nov. 21, 2018 at Scheels in Great Falls. In required background paperwork, Scott answered that she was the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm. However, Scott bought the handgun for the boy as an early birthday present. The boy and his friend were present during the purchase, and Scott used the boy’s debit card for the purchase. Following the sale, the boy kept the handgun, and ammunition, at another residence.

A juvenile witness told investigators that the boy kept the handgun in a holster in his bedroom and had a magazine loaded in the pistol but not a round in the chamber. The boy and three friends would take out the handgun, point it at things in the room or at each other. The witness also reported that the boy pointed the handgun at Scott during an argument.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Great Falls Police Department and Toole County Sheriff’s Office.

This case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative launched in the fall of 2019 to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Through Project Guardian, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Montana is working to enhance coordination of its federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. In addition, Project Guardian supports information sharing and taking action when individuals are denied a firearm purchase by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for mental health reasons or because they are a prohibited person.

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BILLINGS—A Billings man convicted of drug trafficking and firearms crimes after law enforcement found more than a pound of methamphetamine and loaded guns in his vehicle was sentenced today to 20 years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

After a two-day trial in December, a jury found Julian Tyler Baughman, 37, guilty of all three crimes as charged, including possession with intent to distribute meth, prohibited person in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

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

At trial, the prosecution presented evidence that Montana Violent Offender Task Force officers got a tip about Baughman’s location and arrested him in a vehicle in a Billings neighborhood on April 10, 2019. Baughman admitted he had a gun on him. While searching Baughman, officers found in a belly band holster a .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol loaded with 15 live rounds and a second magazine containing 11 live rounds of ammunition. Baughman also had $1,086 and a cell phone on his person.

Officers found in the vehicle a meth pipe, a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a loaded .357-caliber semi-automatic pistol, boxes of ammunition, an open U.S. Postal Service envelope containing about 1.6 pounds of meth and other items. The amount of meth found is the equivalent of about 5,800 doses.

After getting a search warrant for Baughman’s phone, investigators found multiple photos of the 9mm pistol that Baughman had sent to people, conversations in which Baughman admitted to shooting himself in the foot with the .357 pistol and multiple messages consistent with Baughman dealing drugs.

Baughman had prior felony convictions in 2016 and therefore, was prohibited from possessing firearms.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tom Godfrey and Karla Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws, and Project Safe Neighborhoods, the USDOJ’s initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 through 2018. Through these initiatives, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

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

Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto  and pleading not guilty on June 1 was:

Wolfgang Alexander Lucas Vasquez, 27, of Rexford, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and possession of a sawed-off shotgun. If convicted of the most serious crime, Vasquez faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Vasquez was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Flathead County Sheriff's Office investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-17.

Nicholas Steven Moskaloff, 19, of Kalispell, on charges of drug user and addict in possession of firearms and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Moskaloff faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Moskaloff was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Flathead County Sheriff's Office investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-10.

Appearing on June 3 was:

Joshua James Chappa, 44, of Bozeman, on charges of conversion of secured property, false statements on loan application, wire fraud, theft of livestock and mail fraud. If convicted of the most serious crime, Chappa faces a maximum 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine and five years of supervised release. Chappa was released pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-5.

Appearing on June 4 was:

Russell Scott Wilkey, 50, of Three Forks, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Wilkey faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Wilkey was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office, Gallatin County Sheriff's Office and Glade's County Sheriff's Office investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-5.

Joshua Jay Schroeder, 39, of Butte, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Schroeder faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Schroeder was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration service investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-9.

If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.

To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

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MISSOULA–A Bozeman woman who worked as a bookkeeper for several businesses admitted this week to embezzling about $433,018 from the companies, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Anna Michelle Niles, 47, pleaded guilty on June 3 to wire fraud. Niles faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

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

The prosecution said in court documents that from 2009 until 2018, Niles embezzled from Cresent Cross, LLP, Clair W. Daines, Inc., Genesis Partners, LLC, Bitterroot Turf Farm, Inc., and other related business entities while performing bookkeeping and accounting services. Niles defrauded the firms by diverting funds through checks, stealing cash, claiming leave she was not entitled to obtain, receiving unauthorized 401(k) loan payments and using business credit cards on personal expenses, none of which was authorized. The investigation found that Niles embezzled about $433,018 from the businesses. When interviewed by the FBI, Niles admitted to stealing from Cresent Cross, LLP, and writing checks from other businesses to cover up the fraud.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Weldon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.

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GREAT FALLS—A Browning man who admitted firing a gun during a confrontation in Browning on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to five years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Arthur Thomas Westwolf, Jr., 26, pleaded guilty in January to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

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

The prosecution said in court documents that Westwolf and another man, identified as John Doe, got into a confrontation on July 28, 2018 in front of a Browning residence. Westwolf returned to his truck and asked an occupant to give him his gun. Westwolf pulled a 9 mm caliber pistol from the truck and aimed it at Doe. Doe turned around and fled on foot. Westwolf then fired.

A witness reported the assault to law enforcement and said the vehicle left at a high rate of speed and headed toward East Glacier. Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services responded and located the vehicle, which was occupied by Westwolf and two others. All denied having the gun. Westwolf matched the description of the shooter, and he eventually admitted to firing the gun. The gun was located in the vehicle. When interviewed by federal investigators, Westwolf admitted to possessing the firearm and pointing it at the victim. He admitted to discharging the weapon but claimed he shot in the air.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.

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BILLINGS—A Billings woman who admitted methamphetamine trafficking charges was sentenced today to six years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Sarah Marie Guckeen, 37, pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth.

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

The prosecution said in court records that in March 2019, law enforcement received a call from a woman who said she had recovered some meth. Guckeen had called the woman the day before about a package she was expecting to be delivered to the woman's house. When the package arrived, the woman got suspicious, opened the package and found meth. The package contained about a pound of meth, which is the equivalent of 3,624 doses.

In an interview with agents, Guckeen admitted to being the intended recipient of the meth package and that she was going to be taking over distribution for another person, whose source of supply was in California. The source of supply had sent Guckeen the pound of meth.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI task force, the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the Billings Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

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GREAT FALLS—A Reserve man who admitted shooting another man in the face with a .22-caliber rifle on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in 2018 was sentenced today to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Jonathan Black Jr., 33, pleaded guilty in February to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

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

In court records filed in the case, the prosecution said the assault occurred on March 3, 2018 at a Reserve residence where Black lived with his sister and her children. Black called 911 in the evening and reported he had just shot someone in the face. Law enforcement arrived in the area and saw the victim driving away. An officer stopped the victim, who had facial wounds but the blood seemed to be clotting and there did not seem to be any immediate medical emergency. Because the victim appeared to be in stable condition, the officer placed him in his patrol car and began investigating the shooting.

At the residence, the defendant's sister and her children came out of the house. Black then came out and was arrested.

Meanwhile, an ambulance transported the victim to a nearby hospital. The victim ultimately went to Billings Clinic, where he was treated for facial injuries that included damage to his cheek and facial fractures. The victim had to have four teeth extracted because of the gunshot and had a bullet fragment at the base of his skull.

Black told law enforcement that he was cooking when he heard banging and the victim threatening his sister. Black thought the victim might kill his sister, so he retrieved a .22 caliber rifle from a closet. Black found the victim and his sister in the bathroom, so he kicked open the door, put the rifle in the victim's face and shot him. Black then placed the rifle on the kitchen table and called 911.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.

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HELENA—A Montana City man convicted by a jury of illegally possessing a firearm was sentenced today to five years and thee months in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

A jury in October found K. Jeffrey Knapp, 42, guilty of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Senior U.S. District Judge Charles C. Lovell presided.

The prosecution presented evidence at trial that on April 3, 2019, law enforcement agents served a federal search warrant at Knapp’s home and found 16 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Two pistols were found on what appeared to be Knapp’s side of the bed. Knapp, having been convicted of two felonies in Colorado in 1994, knowingly illegally possessed firearms.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bartleson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

This case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative launched in the fall of 2019 to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Through Project Guardian, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Montana is working to enhance coordination of its federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. In addition, Project Guardian supports information sharing and taking action when individuals are denied a firearm purchase by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for mental health reasons or because they are a prohibited person.

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GREAT FALLS— A Fort Belknap man convicted of assaulting and strangling a woman in Lodge Pole, on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, last year was sentenced today to 28 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

After a two day trial in January, a jury found Jordan Alexander Werk, 32, guilty of assault by striking, beating or wounding and of strangulation.

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

The prosecution presented evidence at trial that Werk assaulted and strangled the victim on April 8, 2019 in Lodge Pole in Blaine County and on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. The victim reported on April 8, 2019 that Werk had assaulted her by grabbing her hair and throwing her to the ground. Werk kicked her in the chest, punched her in the head and choked her, causing her to see stars and have trouble breathing.

The victim also told law enforcement that during the assault, Werk told her that he knew how to hit someone to not show bruises and that if she was going to act like a victim, then he would treat her like one. The victim was treated for injuries, including a broken rib, at the Indian Health Service in Harlem.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Belknap tribal law enforcement.

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GREAT FALLS—An East Glacier Park man convicted after a drunken driving crash killed one passenger and seriously injured a second passenger in Glacier National Park last year was sentenced today to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

After a three-day trial in February, a jury found Leo James Hagan, 20, guilty of involuntary manslaughter and of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

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

The prosecution presented evidence at trial that the crash occurred on June 11, 2019, on Two Medicine Road, about 200 yards inside of Glacier National Park. Hagan and the two victims had been socializing at the Trailhead Saloon in East Glacier that night, and Hagan had consumed alcohol. The group left the saloon and traveled toward Two Medicine Lake, with Hagan driving a Ford Escape.

Hagan lost control of the vehicle, failed to negotiate a sharp left turn, went off the road and hit a tree. The vehicle spun and rolled and came to a rest on the driver's side. The front seat passenger was ejected and suffered severe injuries. The rear seat passenger also was ejected, pinned under the vehicle and died at the scene.

Hagan left the scene on foot and called 911. He implied he had come upon the scene of a crash and was otherwise not involved. He reported seeing one injured person but not his involvement, the cause or that a passenger had died.

A Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services officer ultimately found Hagan at his residence at about 2:30 a.m. Hagan confirmed he had been in the crash and had been driving. A blood draw during the investigation determined that Hagan had a blood alcohol concentration of .093 percent more than four hours after the crash.

A crash investigation determined that the vehicle was traveling more than 70 mph in a 45 mph speed zone when it crashed, that the driver never applied the brakes and that neither Hagan nor the front seat passenger was wearing a seatbelt. Hagan had claimed he was wearing a seatbelt and had braked.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kalah Paisley and Ethan Plaut prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the National Park Service, Blackfeet Law Enforcement and Medical Services, the Glacier County Sheriff's Office and the Montana Highway Patrol.

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BILLINGS—A Billings man convicted in a drug investigation in which agents found six pounds of methamphetamine and guns in a motel room was sentenced today to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Dameon Pierre Beasley, 41, pleaded guilty in November to possession with intent to distribute meth and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

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

The prosecution said in court records that Drug Enforcement Administration agents went to a Billings motel in July 2018 where they had observed a man and a woman known to be involved in drug trafficking enter the building. Agents knocked on the door of the suspects’ room. The man consented to a search, and agents found drug paraphernalia. The woman volunteered that they had returned from Missoula where they had been helping Beasley transport drugs.

Beasley also was staying at the motel. Agents went to his room, and co-defendant Jessica Lynn Denny, answered the door. While speaking to Denny, agents witnessed movement behind her and secured the room. Agents found Beasley and another co-defendant, David Lopez, in the room. A firearm was on a table. Agents executed a search warrant on the room and found six pounds of meth, two handguns and $11,190 in currency. Six pounds of meth is the equivalent of about 21,744 doses.

Beasley admitted he was selling meth and distributing to Denny and Lopez and that Lopez had brought one of the guns to trade it to him for meth. Text messages on phones seized from Denny and Beasley indicated that Denny had brokered the gun trade and that she and Lopez were completing the firearm for meth deal when agents entered the room. Denny pleaded guilty in the case and was sentenced to six years in prison. Lopez has pleaded guilty to charges and is awaiting sentencing.

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

This case is part of Project Guardian, the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws, and Project Safe Neighborhoods, the USDOJ’s initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 through 2018. Through these initiatives, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

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BILLINGS—A Billings man who admitted supplying methamphetamine for a drug deal with a confidential informant was sentenced today to six years in prison and four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Patrick Bryan Cleveland, 39, pleaded guilty in January to distribution of meth.

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

The prosecution said in court records that in June 2019, drug task force agents met with a confidential informant about drug trafficking in the Laurel and Billings areas and arranged for the informant to buy meth from co-defendant Shawna Bercier, of Laurel. The informant bought about two grams of meth from Bercier in a transaction observed by law enforcement. Agents arranged another controlled buy in which the informant bought one ounce from Bercier. For the second deal, Bercier advised the informant she would be getting the meth from "Pat" and that it was worth the wait. Agents observed Cleveland arrive at Bercier's workplace and provide her with a cigarette box, which contained about an ounce of meth. The cigarette box was provided to the informant.

Agents followed Cleveland's vehicle to a Billings residence, where a third co-defendant, Lynn Kuntz, lived. Kuntz had been identified as a source of supply for meth.

Bercier and Kuntz have pleaded guilty to charges in the case and are awaiting sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Patten prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

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HELENA—A Washington man who admitted supplying methamphetamine for drug runs to Montana in 2018 was sentenced today to 17 years and six months in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Hugo Yanez, 38, of Everett, WA, pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth.

Senior U.S. District Judge Charles C. Lovell presided.

The prosecution said in court documents filed in the case that in an interview in 2019 with law enforcement, Yanez said that he and a co-defendant, Breanne Bame, of Kenmore, WA, moved into the residence of a third co-defendant, Tavia Dion Blume, of Monroe, WA. Yanez admitted to supplying narcotics for Blume to distribute on four trips to Montana. 

In December 2018, the Montana Highway Patrol stopped a vehicle driven by Blume and occupied by a fourth co-defendant, Kyle Douglas Alverson, of Lake Stevens, WA, east of Missoula. During a search of the vehicle, officers found firearms, ammunition, about 1.5 pounds of meth and U.S. currency. One and a half pounds of meth is the equivalent of 5,436 doses.

Blume was sentenced to 14 years in prison, while Alverson was sentenced to 14 years and 11 months in prison for their convictions in the case. Bame was sentenced to 97 months for her conviction in the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bartleson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Montana Highway Patrol and the Missouri River Drug Task Force.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws, and Project Safe Neighborhoods, the USDOJ’s initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 through 2018. Through these initiatives, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

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WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice today announced more than $2.3 million in grant awards for Montana as part of nearly $400 million in grant funding through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP).  The Attorney General announced funding awards to 596 law enforcement agencies across the nation, which allows those agencies to hire 2,732 additional full-time law enforcement professionals.

In Montana, 12 sheriff's offices and police departments were awarded more than $2.3 million, with grant amounts ranging from $375,000 to $125,000, to hire 16 new positions. 

The awards announced today are inclusive of the $51 million announced in May as part of Operation Relentless Pursuit.  

“The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great nation with needed resources, tools, and support.  The funding announced today will bolster their ranks and contribute to expanding community policing efforts nationwide,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.  “A law enforcement agency’s most valuable assets are the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving their communities.”

"This great news for our local law enforcement partners across the state. This funding will provide more officers and deputies on the ground and help us keep our keep communities safe," U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. 

In the Montana, the agencies and grant awards included: Broadwater County Sheriff's Office, $250,000; Carbon County Sheriff's Office, $125,000; Gallatin County Sheriff's Office, $375,000; Lake County Sheriff's Office, $219,009; Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office, $125,000; Miles City Police Department, $125,000; Mineral County Sheriff's Office, $223,779; Missoula Police Department, $250,000; Park County Sheriff's Office, $125,000; Prairie County Sheriff's Office, $179,593; Sweet Grass County, $125,000 and Troy Police Department, $189,779.

The COPS Hiring Program is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers.  In addition to providing financial support for hiring, CHP provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement to enhance local community policing strategies and tactics.  In a changing economic climate, CHP funding helps law enforcement agencies maintain sufficient sworn personnel levels to promote safe communities.  Funding through this program had been on hold since the spring of 2018 due to a nationwide injunction that was lifted earlier this year.

CHP applicants were required to identify a specific crime and disorder problem focus area and explain how the funding will be used to implement community policing approaches to that problem focus area.  43 percent of the awards announced today will focus on violent crime, while the remainder of the awards will focus on a variety of issues including school-based policing to fund school resource officer positions, building trust and respect, and opioid education, prevention, and intervention.  The COPS Office received nearly 1,100 applications requesting more than 4,000 law enforcement positions. 

The complete list of awards can be found here.  To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp.  For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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

Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto on a criminal complaint on May 26 was:

Oscar Noe Celio Luna, 32, of Bakersfield, CA, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Luna faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Luna was detained pending further proceedings. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Missouri River Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and Helena Police Department investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-8.

If the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor its progress regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.

To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

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BILLINGS—U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme today warned Montanans to be aware of COVID-19 contact tracing scams in which someone steals personal identifying information while posing as a government or health care representative.

The Department of Justice is getting reports that contact tracing fraud is an emerging nationwide scam. Contact tracing is a process to help stop the spread of the coronavirus by identifying people who have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and instructing them to quarantine and monitor symptoms.

"Don't be fooled by imposter tracers. Scammers calling or texting and saying, 'I'm with the health department and I need your Social Security number or bank account information…' have been effective at stealing personal identification information. A legitimate contact tracer will not ask for money or information like your Social Security number or bank account number. During this time, stay healthy and keep your money safe," U.S. Attorney Alme said.

For more information about COVID-19 contact tracing scams and tips to protect yourself from identity theft and financial fraud, visit the Federal Trade Commission at: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/05/covid-19-contact-tracing-text-message-scams.

To report COVID-19 related frauds, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 866-720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov.

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MISSOULA—A Utah woman who had nearly two pounds of methamphetamine hidden on her body when arrested near Butte was sentenced today to four years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Ebony Cherelle Tafoya, 31, of Midvale, Utah, pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute meth.

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

The prosecution said in court documents that on Sept. 6, 2019, Tafoya was arrested outside of Butte. Law enforcement officers conducted a pat down search of Tafoya and found 520 grams, which is about 1.1 pounds, of meth in a belly band. Another 333 grams, or about three-quarters of a pound, was found hidden in Tafoya's bra and chest area at the Butte-Silver Bow Detention Center. The amount of meth seized was the equivalent of about 7,248 doses. Tafoya previously had distributed large quantities of meth to a confidential source in August 2019.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bartleson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Russell Country Drug Task Force, the Montana Southwest Drug Task Force, the Montana Highway Patrol and the Montana Department of Corrections.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

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HELENA—A Great Falls man was sentenced to 21 years and eight months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release today after he admitted to taking sexually explicit photographs of a minor, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Virgil Allen Wolfe, 54, pleaded guilty in May 2019 to sexual exploitation of a child.

Senior U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell presided.

The prosecution said in court records that law enforcement had received a report that Wolfe used a camera to take photographs of the victim in the nude and then uploaded them to his computer. The victim was younger than 12 years of age.

Law enforcement with Homeland Security Investigations and the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Wolfe’s residence in June 2017 and seized computers, a phone and a digital camera. A forensic analysis of the devices found child pornography images on a computer and on a memory card inside the camera. The images were taken in 2008 and 2009.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bartleson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Border Patrol and the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office.

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GREAT FALLS – A Cut Bank man today admitted assaulting a minor girl on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Daniel Mark Tanner, 33, pleaded guilty to assault on a minor as charged in a superseding information. Tanner faces a maximum five years in prison, a $50,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided and set sentencing for Sept. 17. Tanner was released pending further proceedings.

The prosecution said in court records that in January 2018, the Cut Bank Police Department began investigating allegations of Tanner having inappropriate contact with a minor girl. At the time of the disclosure, the victim was under the age of 14. In an interview with law enforcement, the victim said that a few months earlier, she awoke to find that Tanner had grabbed her hand and pulled it toward him. She described trying to move her hand away, but Tanner held it against her will. The assault occurred on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.

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

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

Amy Lillian Tamaska, 41, of Desert Hot Springs, CA, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Tamaska faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Tamaska was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI Transnational Organized Crime West Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 19-101.

Lisa Marie Fish, 38, of Worden, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted of the most serious crime, Fish faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. If convicted of the firearms crime, Fish faces a minimum mandatory five years to life consecutive to any other sentence. Fish was released pending further proceedings. The FBI Transnational Organized Crime West Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 19-101.

Appearing on a criminal complaint on May 21 was:

Johnathon Scott Cooper, 33, address unknown, on charges of possession of an unregistered silencer. If convicted of the most crime, Cooper faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Cooper was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-46.

If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.

To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

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MISSOULA—A California woman who admitted bringing methamphetamine to the Flathead Valley for distribution after officers found more than 10 pounds of the drug in her vehicle was sentenced today to six years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Kristal Patricia Leonard, 34, of Huntington Beach, CA, pleaded guilty in February to possession with intent to distribute meth.

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

The prosecution said in court documents that on Sept. 19, 2019 near Lolo, during an undercover surveillance operation, Montana Highway Patrol officers searched a vehicle Leonard had been driving and recovered heroin and more than 10 pounds of meth. Ten pounds of meth is the equivalent of 36,240 doses. In addition, the Kalispell Police Department served a search warrant on Leonard's residence and recovered firearms, meth, a digital scale and paraphernalia. A confidential informant told law enforcement that Leonard distributed large amounts of meth in Lake and Flathead counties and would make one to two trips per months to pick up meth for re-distribution in Montana. The informant personally distributed meth for Leonard.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Elliott prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Northwest Drug Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

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MISSOULA—A Columbia Falls man who was on state probation was sentenced today to two years in prison and three years of supervised release for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

George Harrison Burger, 50, pleaded guilty in February to prohibited person in possession of firearms.

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

In court records filed in the case, the prosecution said that in December 2018, officers from the Flathead County Sheriff's Office and Montana Probation and Parole conducted a probation search of Burger's residence as a condition of his probation. Law enforcement recovered nine firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition. Burger had prior convictions that prohibited him from possessing firearms.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Elliott prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Flathead County Sheriff's Office and Montana Probation and Parole.

 This case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative launched in the fall of 2019 to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Through Project Guardian, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Montana is working to enhance coordination of its federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. In addition, Project Guardian supports information sharing and taking action when individuals are denied a firearm purchase by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for mental health reasons or because they are a prohibited person.

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GREAT FALLS – A California man admitted to a drug distribution charge today after investigators found almost two pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a peanut butter jar and a piñata that were bound for the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Don Fred Baldwin, 47, of Merced, CA, pleaded guilty to distribution of meth. Baldwin faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided and set sentencing for Sept. 17. Baldwin was detained.

The prosecution said in court documents that Baldwin mailed a package on Nov. 7, 2019 from California to Brockton, located on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Law enforcement officers intercepted the package, obtained a search warrant and found meth hidden inside a jar of peanut butter and a piñata. The amount of meth totaled about 776 grams, which is about 1.7 pounds and the equivalent of approximately 6,208 doses. When interviewed, Baldwin told law enforcement that he mailed the meth. Baldwin clarified later that he provided the meth to another person who mailed it to Montana.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassady Adams is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Fort Peck Tribal Criminal Investigators and the Merced, CA, Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

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GREAT FALLS—A Browning man convicted by a jury of raping and sexually abusing two women on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation under the guise of offering each  a ride home was sentenced today to 54 months in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

A jury in January found Alphonse Bird, 85, guilty of one count of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of sexual abuse.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided.

"American Indian women face far too much violence. The violence must stop, and offenders, regardless of their age, will be held accountable," U. S. Attorney Alme said.

During trial, the prosecution presented evidence that Bird sexually assaulted two women on separate occasions within two months in 2018 on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. On Sept. 15, 2018, the first victim approached a Blackfeet Law Enforcement officer near the Town Pump in Browning and reported that Bird had just raped her. Bird had picked her up near the Blackfeet Care Center and she thought he was giving her a ride home. Instead, Bird drove toward East Glacier Park, parked the vehicle and raped her. The victim couldn’t get Bird to stop until she got sick. He dropped her off near Advanced Towing and witnesses helped her. The victim promptly reported the assault.

In the second assault, a witness called law enforcement on Nov. 4, 2018 to report an incident she had just observed south of Browning in which a vehicle was parked on the side of the road. The witness pulled up to the passenger side to see if the occupants needed assistance. Bird was in the driver’s seat and the victim was a passenger. The victim attempted to sit up but was unable to do so. Bird drove away. The witness tried to follow but could not keep up and called law enforcement. A law enforcement officer located the vehicle and when she approached, she saw Bird, who had his right arm in a sling and was putting a glove on his left hand. Bird said he was bringing his passenger home and was just turning around.

The victim told the officer that Bird had picked her up and she thought he was going to take her home. The victim was intoxicated and had trouble recounting what happened, but said Bird sexually assaulted her despite her telling him to stop. The victim said Bird kept telling her she was going to be okay.

DNA analysis linked Bird to evidence collected from both of the victims.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Blackfeet Law Enforcement.

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HELENA—A Washington woman who admitted dealing methamphetamine in Helena, including selling it to an undercover officer in a car wash, was sentenced today to 97 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Breanne Marie Bame, 40, of Kenmore, WA, pleaded guilty in October to distribution of meth.

U.S. District Judge Charles C. Lovell presided.

The prosecution said in court records in the case that in November 2018, a co-defendant offered to sell an undercover officer 13 ounces of meth for $6,000. Later, in a controlled purchase with the co-defendant in Helena, the officer got into the co-defendant's car, where Bame also was seated. The co-defendant introduced Bame as "boss lady Bre." The officer said he had only $4,500 and asked if he could buy 10 ounces of meth. The co-defendant asked Bame for approval, Bame gave the go ahead and the deal was conducted. Bame later told law enforcement agents in an interview that she had traveled to Montana with the co-defendant and confirmed that they had sold meth at a car wash in Helena.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bartleson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Missouri River Drug Task Force, the Montana Highway Patrol, the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office, the Helena Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

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MISSOULA — A Missoula man who admitted trafficking methamphetamine in the community for several years was sentenced today to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Dustin Lee McGough, 41, pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to distribute meth.

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

The prosecution said in court documents that evidence from at least 13 confidential informants would show that McGough was a prolific meth dealer in the Missoula from the spring of 2015 through June 2019 and that he obtained meth mostly from California and brought it back to Missoula. When the Missoula County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at McGough's residence and vehicle in March 2018, officers found meth, heroin and drug paraphernalia.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Elliott prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

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

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

Maliyah Jae Chavez, 18, of Billings, and Rodrigo Gomez, 19, of Billings, on charges of possession of stolen firearms. If convicted of the most serious crime, Chavez and Gomez face a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Both defendants were detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-28.

Bo Bryan Fish, 40, of Worden, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted of the most serious crime, Fish faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. In addition, Fish faces a minimum mandatory five years to life consecutive to any other crime on the firearms count. Fish was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-30.

Trevion Maurice Jones, 44, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Jones faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Jones was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and FBI Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-32.

Gaspar Feliciano Salas, 43, of Gilbert, AZ, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted of the most serious crime, Salas faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. In addition, Salas faces a minimum mandatory five years to life consecutive to any other crime on the firearms count. Salas was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and FBI Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-33.

Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Johnston and pleading not guilty on May 14 was:

Russell Robert Moddison, 48, of Great Falls, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Moddison faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. Moddison was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Great Falls Police Department and Russell Country Drug Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-27.

If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.

To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

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MISSOULA—A Missoula man who admitted pouring gasoline on an ATM machine and setting it on fire, causing an explosion, was sentenced today to 38 months in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Guy Murray Culligan, 58, pleaded guilty in January to malicious use of explosive material.

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

In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said that on Nov. 7, 2019, the Missoula Police and Fire departments responded to a report of an explosion at First Security Bank and found an ATM that had been set on fire. The ATM was damaged as a result of the explosion, which was caused by a buildup of gasoline vapors inside the machine. Damage to the ATM was approximately $30,000.

A witness told investigators about seeing Culligan light the ATM on fire and calling the Missoula Police Department to report the incident. The explosion shattered the windows of Culligan's vehicle and the witness provided a description of the vehicle.

Law enforcement located Culligan in a damaged vehicle, with its windows blown out. Culligan had singed facial hair and an ATM keypad was in his vehicle. Culligan admitted he poured gasoline over the ATM and threw a lit object at it to ignite it, causing the explosion.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Elliott prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Missoula Police Department and Missoula Fire Department.

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