TRIBAL JUSTICE NEWS
WEEK OF JUNE 8, 2011

Prescription Drug Take-Back Day A Success in North County, New York (U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York)

U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced on May 24, 2011, outstanding North County, N.Y., participation in the second nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.  Eighteen North County jurisdictions participated in the event on April 30, 2011.  A total of 451.5 pounds of prescription drugs were collected for safe disposal.  The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department, N.Y., had the single most productive community turn-in site during the event while Essex County, N.Y., had the highest overall submission by weight.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nyn/news.html

North Dakota Sentenced to 30 Years for Child Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced on May 23, 2011, that John F. Wallette, 36, of Belcourt, N.D., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland to 30 years in federal prison to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release.  Wallette was also ordered to pay $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund and restitution of $36,376.49.  Wallette must also register as a sex offender.

http://minneapolis.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel11/mp052611b.htm

Two Defendants Sentenced For Murder (U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon)

U.S. Attorney Dwight C. Holton announced on May 24, 2011, that U.S. District Court Judge Anna J. Brown sentenced Jolena Warner and Antonio Brito, both of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, for murder.  Based upon their respective roles in the crime, Jolena Warner, 30, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release and Antonio Brito, 25, was sentenced to 18 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Both Lucinda Stwyer and Jolena Warner are enrolled members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/or/pressroom.htm

Mescalero Apache Man Sentenced to 27 Months’ in Prison for Assault with Dangerous Weapons (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced on May 26, 2011, in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M.,  Dennett Jerome Chee, 24, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Nation, was sentenced to a 27-months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for his assault with dangerous weapons conviction. Chee used steel-toed boots to fracture the victim’s jaw.  Chee also was ordered to pay $29,399.97 in restitution to the medical providers who provided medical care to the victim of his assault.

www.fbi.gov/albuquerque/press-releases/2011/mescalero-apache-man-sentenced-to-27-months2019-imprisonment-for-assaulting-common-law-wife-with-dangerous-weapons

New Mexico Man Arrested for Federal Assault with Dangerous Weapon (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced on May 27, 2011, that Taos, N.M., resident Edward C. Gurule, 32, made an initial appearance on a criminal complaint charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon, during a federal court session. Gurule, a non-Indian, was charged with assaulting an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Picuris in a residence located within the Pueblo of Picuris Reservation on May 21, 2011. If convicted, Gurule faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised released, and a $250,000 fine. A trial date has yet to be scheduled.

www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/2011/2011-05-27_gurule_pr.pdf

Montana Resident Makes Initial Appearance in Federal Court for Complaints Alleging Sexual Exploitation of Children, Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)

U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced on May 31, 2011, that Helena. Mont., resident Raymond Dean Smith, 42, made an initial appearance on a complaint alleging sexual exploitation of children, receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch during a federal court session. If charged, Smith faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and could be sentenced to 30 years, a $250,000 fine and lifetime of supervised release on the sexual exploitation of child charge; a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 20 years on the receipt of child pornography charge; and 10 years in prison on the possession of child pornography charge.

www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/20110531151405.html

Mississippi Man Pleads Guilty to Assault with a Deadly Weapon (U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi)

U.S. Attorney John M. Dowdy, Jr. announced on May 31, 2011, that Maurice McMillan, Jr., of Philadelphia, 25, pleaded guilty on May 27, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves Jr., to two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. The offense occurred within the boundaries of the Tribal Lands of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. McMillan will be sentenced on Aug. 5, 2011, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

www.justice.gov/usao/mss/press/index.html

New York Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Possess and Possess with Intent to Distribute Marijuana (U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York)

U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced June 1, 2011 that Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Scullin sentenced Phillip Lauzon, 50, of Ft. Covington, N.Y., to a term of probation of two years.  Lauzon pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 20 and 40 kilograms of marijuana. Lauzon’s probation will include drug and alcohol testing. Lauzon was ordered to pay a special assessment of $100.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nyn/news.html

Arizona Woman Indicted for Murder in Drunk Driving Crash (U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona)

U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke announced on June 2, 2011, that a federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a two-count indictment against Adrienna Lee Shipp, 19, of Whiteriver, Ariz., charging her with second degree murder and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.  The indictment alleges that on May 5, 2011, Shipp killed one minor child and seriously injured another minor child after she ran them over with the truck she was driving while intoxicated within the Ft. Apache Indian Reservation.  A conviction for second degree murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a $250,000 fine or both; a conviction for assault resulting in serious bodily injury carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/press_releases/2011/PR_06022011_Shipp.html

Nebraska Man Convicted of Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska)

U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced on June 2, 2011, that the jury returned a guilty verdict against Larry Rouillard, 49, of Niobrara, Neb., on the charge of sexual assault. His sentencing is set for Aug. 25, 2011. Rouillard was interviewed by law enforcement and admitted to sexual contact with the victim while she was unconscious.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/ne

Michigan Man Sentenced for Domestic Assault on Indian Reservation (U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan)

U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced June 2, 2011, that David John Culhane II 29, of Mount Pleasant, Mich., was sentenced today to 46 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release for domestic assault by a habitual offender.  In September 2010, Culhane assaulted his girlfriend, who is a tribal member, on the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Reservation in Isabella County, Mich.  Culhane is not a member of the tribe.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mie/news.html

Arizona Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Murder (U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona)

U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke announced that District Judge Neil V. Wake on Tuesday sentenced J. Rojelio Thomas Carrillo, of Bapchule, Ariz., to 30 years in prison for murder. Carrillo, 26, pleaded guilty on Feb. 1, 2011, to second degree murder and use of a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death.  On July 19, 2010, Carrillo, while intoxicated, shot the victim in the back of the head with a single-shot shotgun.

http://phoenix.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel11/px060111.htm

North Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Assault (U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced on June 6, 2011, that Ricky Lafountain, 27, of Dunseith, N.D., pleaded guilty to a charge of assault resulting in serious bodily injury in U.S. District Court.  The assault charge has a maximum penalty of a $250,000 fine and 10 years in federal prison.

www.justice.gov/usao/nd/pressreleases/index.html

North Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Assault on Federal Officer (U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced on June 6, 2011, that Edward J. Allery, 29, of Belcourt, N.D., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to a charge of assaulting and resisting a federal officer.  This charge of assaulting and resisting a federal officer carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

www.justice.gov/usao/nd/pressreleases/index.html

Bokchito, Oklahoma Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement and Theft (U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma)

U.S. Attorney Mark F. Green announced on June 7, 2011, that Christina Lee Davidson, 30, of Bokchito, Okla. pleaded guilty to embezzlement and theft from an Indian Tribal Organization.  The indictment alleges that the defendant did embezzle, steal, and willfully and knowingly convert to her own use, moneys, funds and credits in excess of $1,000.  The statutory range of punishment is up to 5 years in prison and/or up to $250,000 in fines.

www.justice.gov/usao/oke/press.html

Muskogee, Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement and Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization (U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma)

U.S. Attorney Mark F. Green announced on June 7, 2011, that Ronald Dean Scott, 45, of Ada, Okla., pleaded guilty to embezzlement and theft from the Chickasaw Nation, an Indian Tribal Organization, before the Honorable Frank H. Seay in U.S. District Court. The indictment alleges that the defendant did embezzle, steal and willfully and knowingly convert to his own use, moneys, funds, and credits in excess of $1000. The statutory range of punishment is up to 5 years in prison and/or up to $250,000 in fines.  

www.justice.gov/usao/oke/press.html

Montana Man Sentenced in U.S. District Court ((U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)

U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced on June 7, 2011, that during a federal court session before U.S. District Judge Donald W. Malloy, Scott Michael McCown, 38, of Bozeman, Mont., was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to attempted tax evasion. In all, McCown failed to claim $50,378.06 in income received during the 2008 tax year, which results in $8,309 of tax that is due and owing. McCown was sentenced to 4 years probation and 6 months of home arrest. McCown was also ordered to pay $100 special assessment, restitution of $8,309 and a fine of $5,000.

www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

South Dakota Man Sentenced for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced on June 7, 2011, that Hermis Earl Janis Jr., aka Hermis Earl Tall Jr., 20, of Manderson, S.D., was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier to 30 months in custody and 3 years of supervised release. Janis was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund.  Janis was indicted for assault with a dangerous weapon on June 23, 2009; he pleaded guilty to the charge on March 18, 2011.

www.justice.gov/usao/sd/news.html

South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced on June 7, 2011, that Thomas Wasicu Hehaka Janis, 26, of Pine Ridge, S.D., pleaded guilty to a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken during a federal court session. If convicted, Janis faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date will be set at a later date.

www.justice.gov/usao/sd/news.html