FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
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 February 26, 2008, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:
ERIK CHANDLER RIGGS, a 24-year-old resident of Bozeman, appeared on charges of distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, RIGGS faces possible penalties of a minimum mandatory 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation.
DANIEL LEE PRUS, a 25-year-old resident of Bozeman, appeared on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, PRUS faces possible penalties of a minimum mandatory 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 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 a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bozeman Police Department and the Montana Division of Criminal 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.
