FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 20, 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 20, 2008, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:
THURMAN CROSSWHITE, a 36-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, CROSSWHITE faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to the maximum of 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 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
TERRY JEAN PLAINBULL BROWN, a 50-year-old resident of Pryor, appeared on a charge of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. BROWN is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, BROWN 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.
