FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 23, 2007
INFORMATIONAL: FEDERAL COURT ARRAIGNMENTS
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings, on August 22, 2007, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:
REYNARD KILLSNIGHT, a 42-year-old resident of Lame Deer, appeared on a charge of aggravated sexual abuse. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, KILLSNIGHT faces possible penalties of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
FRITZ ANDERSON, a 29-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of sexual exploitation of children, possession of child pornography, and distribution of marijuana and Ecstasy to a person under the age of 21. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, ANDERSON faces possible penalties of a mandatory 15 years in prison and could be sentenced to 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Billings Big Sky Safe Street Task Force.
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.
