The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on May 6, 2010, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individual was arraigned:

BURNELL THOMAS RHODES, a 30-year-old resident of Missoula, appeared on a charge of receipt of child pornography. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, RHODES faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 20 years, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between Missoula Police Department and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.

The defendant pled not guilty to the charge.

The charge, an indictment, information or complaint, is merely an accusation and any person named as a defendant is 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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