Informational: Federal Court Arraignments
The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on May 25, 2010, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:
JAMES MORRISON, a 45-year-old resident of Lame Deer, appeared on a charge of failure to register as a sexual offender. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, MORRISON faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service.
TYSON McBRIDE, a 30 -year-old resident of Miles City, appeared on charges of making false claims, wire fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, McBRIDE faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. In addition, McBRIDE faces an additional mandatory two year imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence, for aggravated identity theft. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt G. Alme is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service.
CHAD SANFORD, a resident of Denver, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, SANFORD faces possible penalties of life in prison, a $4,000,000 fine and at least 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. Thaggard is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.
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.
