The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on December 21, 2010, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:

RONALD YURCZAK, a 56-year-old resident of Big Fork, appeared on a charge of willfully injuring property of the United States. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, YURCZAK faces possible penalties of one year in prison, a $100,000 fine and one year supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliot is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the United States Forest Service.

JOSEPH PATRICK TOOMEY, a 29-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, TOOMEY faces possible penalties of a minimum mandatory five years up to twenty years in prison, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by a cooperative effort between the Missoula County Sheriff's Office, Missoula Police Department and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.

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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