Marlys Young Running Crane Sentenced In U.S. District Court

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on June 10, 2013, before Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, MARLYS YOUNG RUNNING CRANE, a 59-year-old resident of Browning, appeared for sentencing. YOUNG RUNNING CRANE was sentenced to a term of:

Prison: 12 months

Special Assessment: $100

Supervised Release: 1 year

YOUNG RUNNING CRANE was sentenced in connection with her guilty plea to misprision of a felony.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

Beginning in November 2010, Louis Romero, Henry Lopez, and several other individuals facilitated the distribution of methamphetamine in Browning and Great Falls.

During this time, YOUNG RUNNING CRANE had full knowledge that several of the other individuals were all involved in illegal methamphetamine distribution. YOUNG RUNNING CRANE failed to notify any authorities of these illegal activities. In fact, when law enforcement questioned YOUNG RUNNING CRANE, she provided an untruthful statement that this drug activity was not occurring, which in effect, concealed the crime.

Romero and Lopez pled guilty to federal charges.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that YOUNG RUNNING CRANE will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, YOUNG RUNNING CRANE does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the Montana Violent Crimes Task Force.