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 beyond a reasonable doubt:

Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Sept. 28 was:

Garrell Robert Snell, 33, of Hardin, on charges of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. If convicted of the most serious crime, Snell faces a maximum of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Snell was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-113.

Brian Allen Kruger, 61, of Lodge Grass, on charges of assault of a dating or intimate partner resulting in substantial bodily injury. If convicted of the most serious crime, Kruger faces a maximum of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Kruger was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 22-148.

Appearing on Sept. 26 was:

Marilee Dawn Hoffman, 36, a transient, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hoffman faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Hoffman was released pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-93.

Appearing on a criminal complaint on Sept. 25 was:

Luke Dovel, 28, of Billings, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Dovel faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Dovel was detained pending further proceedings. PACER case reference. 23-143.

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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