Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings, on January 27, 2009, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:

VAUGHN SHOULDER BLADE, a 40-year-old resident of Lame Deer, appeared on a charge of being a domestic abuse habitual offender. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, SHOULDER BLADE faces possible penalties of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

WILLIAM WICK, JR., a resident of Lame Deer, appeared on charges of aggravated sexual abuse and kidnapping. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, WICK faces possible penalties of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

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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