Informational: Federal Court Arraignments
The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on July 12, 2012, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:
ELROY JAY WEASELBEAR, SR., a 39-year-old resident of Lame Deer, appeared on a charge of incest and aggravated sexual abuse which occurred on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, WEASELBEAR faces possible penalties of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
CEDRIC MARC LEIBY, a 34-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on a charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, LEIBY faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 fine, and 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Billings Police Department, and the Billings Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force.
CHRISTOPHER CLEVELAND, a 34-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, CLEVELAND faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 fine, and 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Billings Police Department, and the Billings Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force.
CHRISTOPHER WENTLEIN, a 33-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on chargeS of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, WENTLEIN faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $10,000,000 fine, and 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of 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.
