FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, December 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 Great Falls, on December 11, 2007, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, the following individuals were arraigned:
STANETTE CROWE, a 21-year-old resident of Brockton, appeared on a charge of voluntary manslaughter. She is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, CROWE faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Hosley is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
RICHARD TESTORE, a Canadian citizen, appeared on a charge of attempted re-entry of a previously deported alien. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, TESTORE faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Horsman is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
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.
