FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 04, 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 March 4, 2008, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:
EFRAIN SANCHEZ-PULIDO, a 30-year-old resident of Mexico, appeared on a charge of illegal re-entry. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, SANCHEZ-PULIDO faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia Hurd is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
JESSE LEE VARDARO, a 38-year-old resident of Glendive, appeared on a charge of failure to register as a sexual offender. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, VARDARO faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia Hurd is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the United States Marshal Service.
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.
Amy Finnegan
Legal Assistant
U.S. Attorney's Office
406-247-4621
