The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on August 24, 2010, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:

MICHAEL ERNEST MONFORTON, age 51, JEFFERY NICHOLAS McCOWN, age 40, JEANETTE SABINA McCOWN, age 40, and SCOTT MICHAEL McCOWN, age 38, residents of Bozeman, each appeared on charges of conspiracy to commit fraud and wire fraud. They are currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, they each face possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan M. Archer is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

WAYNE AUGUST HUSSAR, a 39-year-old resident of Helena, appeared on charges of being a felon-in-possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, HUSSAR faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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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