The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on February 2, 2012, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, the following individual was arraigned:

VINCENT MATTHEW FORTIN, a 23-year-old resident of Hays, appeared on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and domestic assault by a habitual offender. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, FORTIN faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Belknap Police Department.

The defendant 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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