Informational: Federal Court Arraignments

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on June 11, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, the following individuals were arraigned:

JESS JAMES RUTHERFORD, JR., a resident of Browning, appeared on a charge of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, RUTHERFORD faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon 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.

DUSTIN JAY AFTER BUFFALO, age 21, and MICHAEL THOMAS BAD OLD MAN, age 21, residents of Browning, appeared on a charge of burglary. They are currently detained. If convicted of these charges, they each face possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.

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.