FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 28, 2008
INFORMATIONAL: FEDERAL COURT ARRAIGNMENT
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings, on February 28, 2008, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:
RON ONEIDA WHITEMAN, a 20-year-old resident of Lame Deer, appeared on charges of aggravated sexual abuse and kidnapping. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, WHITEMAN faces possible penalties of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
STEPHAN PAT RYAN CAPLETT, a 22-year-old resident of Crow Agency, appeared on a charge of assault on a federal officer. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, CAPLETT faces possible penalties of 20 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 a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
WILLIAM SMELLS, a 22-year-old resident of Pryor, appeared on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, SMELLS 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 a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
MARTY HOPPEL, a 47-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, HOPPEL faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 fine and 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Seykora is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
RYAN CHILD, a 20-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on a charge of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, CHILD faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine and 4 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Seykora 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 any person named as a defendant is 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.
