FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 06, 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 November 6, 2007, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:
FREDERICK PHILLIP RECTENWALD, a 20-year-old resident of Missoula, appeared on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, RECTENWALD faces possible penalties of a mandatory 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to the maximum of 20 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 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
LARRY EDWARD TALSETH, a 55-year-old resident of Helena, appeared on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, TALSETH faces possible penalties of a mandatory 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to the maximum of 20 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 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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.
