Informational: Federal Court Arraignments
The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on December 2, 2010, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:
CALEB ROOT, a 30-year-old resident of Missoula, appeared on charges of passing counterfeit currency and distribute of methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, ROOT faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 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 U.S. Secret Service.
RAYMOND EUGENE POWELL, a 31-year-old resident of Great Falls, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, POWELL 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 Timothy J. Racicot is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.
JOSH L. BOYD, a 37-year-old resident of Libby, appeared on charges of removing timber from public lands, violation of firewood permit, and driving on a closed road. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, BOYD faces possible penalties of 1 years in prison, a $100,000 fine and 1 year supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Law Enforcement and Investigations Division of the Forest Service.
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.
