Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Great Falls on April 28, 2009, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, CHARLES JOSEPH WOOD, a 54-year-old resident of Parker Canyon, pled guilty to failure to surrender for service of sentence. Sentencing is set for August 10, 2009. He is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

WOOD was convicted in the U.S. District Court in Great Falls of assault with a dangerous weapon. On May 17, 2004, he was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment. The Court allowed WOOD to self-report to prison.

On June 17, 2004, a probation officer informed WOOD by letter that he was to self-report to the federal prison in Sandstone, Minnesota, on July 14, 2004.

On July 15, 2004, the probation officer learned that WOOD did not self-report. A warrant was issued for WOOD'S arrest on July 16, 2004.

WOOD remained a fugitive until he was arrested on December 19, 2008.

WOOD faces possible penalties of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Vince Carroll prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was conducted by the Chippewa-Cree Law Enforcement Division.

A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.

 

 

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