The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on November 29, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, the following individuals were arraigned:

DANIEL ALLAN WAKEFORD, age 48, and MICHAEL LEE WAKEFORD, age 49, residents of Great Falls, each appeared on the following charges: conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and interstate transportation of stolen vehicle. They are currently detained. If convicted of these charges, they each face possible penalties of a mandatory minimum 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 fine and 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. Thaggard is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Great Falls Police Department.

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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