The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on June 7, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:

MELISSA ANN DUNNING, a 34-year-old resident of Bixby, Oklahoma, appeared on a charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. She is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, DUNNING faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 fine and at least 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Billings Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force.

SHANNON KATHLINA GRIMM, a 40-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of wire fraud and identity theft. She is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, GRIMM faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Lahr is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service.

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.

 

 

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