Informational: Federal Court Arraignments

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on May 7, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, the following individuals were arraigned:

MICHAEL BEARHILL, JR., a 21-year-old resident of Wolf Point, appeared on a charge of robbery. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, BEARHILL faces possible penalties of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura B. Weiss is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation Division.

SHYANN MARIE DUPREE, a 36-year-old resident of Poplar, appeared on a charge of burglary. She is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, DUPREE faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $50,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura B. Weiss is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation Division.

JESUS HERIBERTO RAMIREZ-SOTO, age 44, DON EDWARD LYLE, age 53, and STUART MORGAN PATTIE, age 52, residents of Troy, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. They are currently detained. If convicted of these charges, they each face possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $10,000,000 fine, and 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley 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 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.