Informational: Federal Court arraignments

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:

Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Oct. 4 was:

Evirso Real Ampude,47, of Box Elder, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious charge, Ampude faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Ampude was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-72.

Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Oct. 6 was:

James Cale Allen, 28, of Lame Deer, on charges of aggravated sexual abuse, strangulation and assault resulting in bodily injury to partner. If convicted of the most serious charge, Allen faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and a mandatory minimum five years of supervised release. Allen was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-101.

Appearing on Oct. 4 was:

Julianna Castro, 23, of Billings, on charges of possession with intent to distribute meth and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Castro faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Castro was released pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-14.

The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

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