Informational: Federal Court Arraignments
The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on December 13, 2010, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:
TYLER JAY SKELTON, age 19, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime or in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, SKELTON 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. In addition, SKELTON faces an additional mandatory five year imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence, for the use or possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Billings Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force.
JASON SCOTT MILLS, a 37-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, MILLS 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 Tara J. Elliott is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Billings Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force.
FRED MARTIN BELLY MULE, JR., a 34-year-old resident of Lame Deer, appeared on a charge of aggravated sexual abuse. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, BELLY MULE faces possible penalties of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
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.
