Informational: Federal Court Arraignments
The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on November 22, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge R. Keith Strong, the following individuals were arraigned:
VERNON MARSHALL JAMES YOUNG, a 24-year-old resident of Rocky Boy Reservation, appeared on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault with a deadly weapon. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, YOUNG faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Wolfe is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
AUSTIN JOSEPH DENNY, a 23-year-old resident of Rocky Boy Reservation, appeared on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault with a deadly weapon. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, DENNY faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Wolfe is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
LEONARD DEAN FOLLETTE, a 50-year-old resident of Culbertson, appeared on charges of aggravated sexual abuse and sexual abuse. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, FOLLETTE faces possible penalties of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
ROBERT BLACKDOG, a 55-year-old resident of Brockton, appeared on charges of abusive sexual contact. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, BLACKDOG faces possible penalties of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least 5 years up to lifetime supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danna Jackson is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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.
