Informational: Federal Court Arraignments
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Missoula, on September 22, 2009, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:
LAURA ANN BROWN, a 42-year-old resident of Butte, appeared on a charge of labor union embezzlement. She is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, BROWN faces possible penalties of 5 years in prison, a $10,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl E. Rostad is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Department of Labor.
BRIAN PAUL COSSEY, a 39-year-old resident of Kalispell, appeared on a charge of receipt of child pornography. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, COSSEY faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and life time supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement .
CORY DANIEL MARTINEZ, a 26-year-old resident of Dillon, appeared on a charge of receipt of child pornography. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, MARTINEZ faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and life time supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
JOHN DWIGHT DEHART, a 57-year-old resident of Troy, appeared on a charge of drug user in possession of a firearm. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, DEHART faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette L. Stewart is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by a cooperative effort between the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.
The defendants pled not guilty to the charges.
The charge, an indictment, information or complaint, is merely an accusation and all persons named as defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A pre-trial conference and a trial date will be set and the United States will be required to prove the allegations set forth in the indictment beyond a reasonable doubt.
