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 March 10, 2009, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, the following individuals were arraigned:
BOBIE JO ARNOUK, DURAND TYLAND BEAR MEDICINE, ALEXANDER GOOD RIDER, CLARICE ANN HALL, MARTY DEE HEAVY RUNNER, WILMA JAMIE RAE HOYT, ALVIN DALE LAZYBOY, BONITA ROSE PLENTY HORSE and CHIEF HOLY STAR FISH, residents of Browning, appeared on charges of conspiracy to commit theft from an Indian tribal organization. They are currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, they each face 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation in Browning.
TYRELL DEAN MOLINA, a 24-year-old resident of Box Elder, appeared on charges of burglary and theft from an Indian tribal organization. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, MOLINA faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $200,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebekah J. French is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rocky Boy Tribal Enforcement.
LIONEL JOHN MOLINA, a 39-year-old resident of Fort Belknap, appeared on a charge of accessory after the fact to burglary. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, MOLINA faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $125,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebekah J. French is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rocky Boy Tribal Enforcement.
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.
