Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings, on February 18, 2009, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individual appeared:

MANDI VERDE DUST, a 21-year-old resident of Black Lodge, made an initial appearance on a complaint alleging retaliation against a government witness. She is currently detained. If charged with this offense, DUST faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Suek is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

A complaint is merely a written statement of the essential facts constituting the offense charged.

 

 

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