Informational: Federal Court Arraignments
The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on March 2, 2010, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:
WILLIAM NEWHOFF, age 28, and DONALD SCHWINDT, age 48, each appeared on a charge of escape. They are currently detained. If convicted, they each face possible penalties of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service.
LORRAINE STEINMEYER, a 51-year-old resident of Reno, Nevada, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. She is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, STEINMEYER faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine and at least 4 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
JUDD JAMES SCHWARTZ, age 37, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, SCHWARTZ 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 Timothy J. Racicot is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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.
