Informational: Federal Court Arraignments

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on January 23, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:

JERARD DAVID JO THREEFINGERS, a 23-year-old resident of Lame Deer, appeared on charges of involuntary manslaughter and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, THREEFINGERS faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

KYLE LEE FULMER, a 29-year-old resident of Ashland, appeared on a charge of involuntary manslaughter. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, FULMER faces possible penalties of 8 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

DELBERT DEAN SPEAR, a 24-year-old resident of Crow Agency, appeared on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, SPEAR faces possible penalties of 10 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 Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

KERRY LYNN VAN HAELE, a 29-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and (2) counts of possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, VAN HAELE faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 fine, and 8 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica T. Fehr is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Billings Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations.

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.