The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on September 27, 2012, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, the following individuals were arraigned:

WILLIAM PAUL ROBINSON, a 65-year-old resident of Helena, appeared on a charge of receipt of child pornography. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, ROBINSON faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 20 years, a $250,000 fine, and lifetime supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Helena Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

STEVEN WILLIAM CARPENTER, a resident of Santa Ana, California, appeared on a charge of fraud. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, CARPENTER faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 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 Helena Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) 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.

 

 

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