FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, January 18, 2008
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 January 17, 2008, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:
JEREMIAH ALLAN HARRIS appeared on a charge of being in possession of a stolen firearm with an obliterated serial number. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, HARRIS faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ed Zink is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Billings Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
FRANCIS BLACK HORSE, JR., a 52-year-old resident of Lame Deer, appeared on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, BLACK HORSE faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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.
