FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 13, 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 December 13, 2007, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:
DERRICK LAMONT DAVIS appeared on a charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, DAVIS faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 1 year in prison and could be sentenced to the maximum of 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine and 6 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. Thaggard is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Missouri River Drug Task Force.
MICHAEL FINDER, a 47-year-old resident of Butte, appeared on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, FINDER faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to the maximum of 20 years, 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.
SHAWN KEVIN JACKSON, a 45-year-old resident of Clancy, appeared on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, JACKSON faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to the maximum of 20 years, 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.
RICKY LEE HECTOR, a resident of Butte, formerly of Missoula, appeared on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, HECTOR faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to the maximum of 20 years, 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.
TERRY TRAVIS, a 50-year-old resident of Helena, appeared on a charge of failure to pay child support. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, TRAVIS faces possible penalties of 2 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 1 year supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Inspector General's Office for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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.
