Informational: Federal Court Arraignment

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on May 31, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individual was arraigned:

MACKENZIE RICHARD KEENE JOINER, a 29-year-old resident of Missoula, appeared on a charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, JOINER faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $5,000,000 fine, and 4 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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.