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 October 8, 2009, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:
MICHAEL DALE FERGUSON, a 59-year-old resident of Lincoln, appeared on a charge of assault of a U.S. Forest Service employee. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, FERGUSON faces possible penalties of 20 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 Law Enforcement and Investigations Division of the U.S. Forest Service.
JUSTIN HERMAN MORGAN, a 26-year-old resident of Kalispell, appeared on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, MORGAN faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 20 years, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Flathead County Sheriff's Office and the Kalispell Police Department.
JAMES LANGLEY, a 26-year-old resident of Missoula, appeared on a charge of receipt of child pornography. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, LANGLEY faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 20 years, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Missoula County Sheriff's Office, and the Missoula Police Department.
RYAN EDWARD McCREARY, a 29-year-old resident of Tacoma, Washington, appeared on a charge of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, McCREARY faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine and at least 4 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette L. Stewart is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs 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.
