FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 11, 2007
INFORMATIONAL: FEDERAL COURT ARRAIGNMENTS
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Missoula, on October 11, 2007, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:
SHANE DOUGLAS SICHTING, a 39-year-old resident of Libby, appeared on a charge of murder for hire. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, SICHTING faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kris A. McLean is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
JOSHUA BESTWINA, a 29-year-old resident of Missoula, appeared on a charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, BESTWINA faces possible penalties of a mandatory 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life in prison, a $4,000,000 fine and 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Van de Wetering is the prosecutor for the United States.
JIMMY RAY JONES, a 60-year-old resident of Missoula, appeared on charges of conspiracy to make and sell steroids and money laundering. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, JONES faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Van de Wetering is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) 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.
