Informational: Federal Court Arraignment

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in

Great Falls, on May 9, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, the following individual was arraigned:

KEITH CLIFFORD CUNNINGHAM, a 69-year-old resident of Arizona and Montana, appeared on a charge of sexual exploitation of children. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, CUNNINGHAM faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 15 years and could be sentenced to 30 years, a $250,000 fine, and lifetime supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations and the Montana Division of Criminal 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.