FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
INFORMATIONAL: FEDERAL COURT ARRAIGNMENTS
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on May 13, 2008, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, the following individuals were arraigned:
CAROLYN RABIDUE BRUBAKER, a 64-year-old resident of Great Falls, appeared on charges of conspiracy to traffic in stolen property and possession and sale of stolen property. She is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, BRUBAKER faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl E. Rostad is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Great Falls Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
JENNIFER ELAINE HIRSCHFIELD, a 33-year-old resident of Great Falls, appeared on charges of theft of federal government money and Social Security fraud. She is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, HIRSCHFIELD faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl E. Rostad is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Inspector General's Office for the Social Security Administration.
JAMES ALAN CARBIS, age 35, appeared on charges of fraudulent use of a Social Security number and aggravated identity theft. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, CARBIS faces possible penalties of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. In addition, CARBIS faces an additional mandatory two year imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence, for aggravated identity theft. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl E. Rostad 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.
