Informational: Federal Court Arraignments
The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on September 7, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:
PETER R. VILLENEUVE, a 63-year-old resident of Kalispell, appeared on charges of theft of government money and making false statements. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, VILLENEUVE 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 Inspector General's Office for the Social Security Administration.
JAMIE PAPAKALODOUKAS, a 44-year-old resident of Helena, appeared on charges of theft of government money and making false statements. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, PAPAKALODOUKAS 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 Inspector General's Office for the Social Security Administration.
JASON ROBERT FISHER, a 28-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, FISHER 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 the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Missoula Police Department, and the 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.
