The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on December 23, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:

RODNEY ALLEN PITTS, JR., a 30-year-old resident of Winnett, appeared on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, PITTS faces possible penalties of ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release.

TIMOTHY JOSEPH HENNEBERRY, a 20-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of distribution of a controlled substance and possession of a stolen firearm. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, HENNEBERRY faces possible penalties of twenty years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.

DANIEL LEE NEWBY, a 37-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm, distribution of methamphetamine, and distribution of marijuana. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, NEWBY faces possible penalties of twenty years in prison, a $2,000,000 fine and at least four years supervised release.

LEIGH ANN RICHEY, a 29-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, distribution of methamphetamine, being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm, and possession of a stolen firearm. She is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, RICHEY faces possible penalties of twenty years in prison, a $2,000,000 fine and at least four years supervised release.

WILLIAM LEROY HOUCK, JR., a 32-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on a charge of possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of violence. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, HOUCK faces possible penalties of ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release.

ANTHONY ALEX ROLL, a 37-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, being a felon in possession of a firearm, robbery, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, ROLL faces possible penalties of twenty years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years supervised release. In addition, ROLL faces an additional mandatory five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.

RICHARD LYNDON MEZA, a 20-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, MEZA faces possible penalties of twenty years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years supervised release. In addition, MEZA faces an additional mandatory five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.

TOBY GEAUDRY, a 25-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on a charge of conspiracy to commit robbery. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, GEAUDRY faces possible penalties of 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and five years supervised release.

EDWIN ALBERTO JOHNSON, a 19-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted of these charges, JOHNSON faces possible penalties twenty years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years supervised release. In addition, JOHNSON faces an additional mandatory five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd is the prosecutor for the United States.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assisting in the investigation were the Montana Department of Criminal Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Billings Police Department, and the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office. Assisting in the arrests in this investigation was the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force.

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.

 

 

Return to Top