The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on May 17, 2012, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individual was arraigned:

STEVEN PATRICK GARCIA, JR., a 35-year-old resident of San Jose, California, appeared on a charge of trafficking in migratory birds. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, GARCIA faces possible penalties of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark S. Smith is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The defendant pled not guilty to the charge.

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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