FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 22, 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 July 22, 2008, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:
KARI ALFRED, a resident of Missoula, appeared on a charge of embezzlement by a bank employee. She is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, ALFRED faces possible penalties of 30 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine and 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
MARK SAMS, a 49-year-old resident of Kalispell, appeared on charges of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, SAMS faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. In addition, SAMS faces an additional mandatory two year imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence, for aggravated identity theft. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Lahr is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service.
BRIAN RENDON, age 37, appeared on charges of being an unlawful drug user, a fugitive and a felon-in-possession of a firearms. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, RENDON faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette L. Stewart is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Flathead County Sheriff's Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Montana Probation and Parole.
PHILLIP JOHN SMITH, a 41-year-old resident of Helena, appeared on charges of possession of stolen firearms and being a felon-in-possession of firearms. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, SMITH faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette L. Stewart is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Helena Police Department, the Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Montana Probation and Parole..
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.
