Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings, on December 22, 2009, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:

FRANCIS BERNARD STROEBE, a 25-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, STROEBE faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ed Zink is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Montana Highway Patrol.

LAURA LOPEZ-CORREON, a 20-year-old resident of Mexico, appeared on a charge of illegal re-entry. She is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, LOPEZ-CORREON faces possible penalties of 2 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 1 year supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia Hurd is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

JESUS BARRIGA-PULIDO, a 41-year-old resident of Mexico, appeared on a charge of illegal re-entry. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, BARRIGA-PULIDO faces possible penalties of 2 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 1 year supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia Hurd is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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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