FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 05, 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 March 4, 2008, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:
JOHN CARPEGNA, a resident of Missoula, appeared on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, CARPEGNA faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to 40 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.
DANIEL FRAKES, a resident of Centralia, Washington, appeared on a charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, FRAKES faces possible penalties of a minimum mandatory 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 fine and 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Van de Wetering is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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.
