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 February 24, 2009, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:
JOHN SAMUEL JARVIS, a 30-year-old resident of Polson, appeared on charges of theft of government monies and fraudulent claims. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, JARVIS faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Inspector General's Office of the General Services Administration.
ROBERT MICHAEL BONNER, a 51-year-old resident of Polson, appeared on a charge of making a false statement to a financial institution. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, BONNER 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 U.S. Secret Service.
CHRISTOPHER FRALEIGH, a resident of Flathead and Lincoln Counties, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, FRALEIGH faces possible penalties of a minimum mandatory 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
DAN LYN BENNETT, a 39-year-old resident of Flathead and Lincoln Counties, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, FRALEIGH faces possible penalties of a minimum mandatory 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
DAVID PHILLIPS, a 52-year-old resident of Missoula, appeared on charges of perjury/false declarations before the court. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, PHILLIPS faces possible penalties of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kris A. McLean is the prosecutor for the United States.
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.
