Informational: Federal Court Initial Appearances

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on September 25, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:

CHASTITY LYNN LONE ELK, a 38-year-old resident of Busby, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon-in-possession of a firearm. She is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, LONE ELK faces 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. In addition, LONE ELK faces the possibility of an additional mandatory 5 year imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence, for the use of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

PATRICIA ANN HALCOMB-SEGNA, a 53-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, being a felon-in-possession of a firearm, and possession of an unregistered firearm. She is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, HALCOMB-SEGNA faces 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 Brendan P. McCarthy is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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.