The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on June 10, 2010, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, the following individuals were arraigned:

MICHAEL JAMES BEAR CUB, a 21-year-old resident of Poplar, which is within the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, appeared on a charge of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, BEAR CUB faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Lahr is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

EVAN ROSS ASLESON, a 35-year-old resident of Monarch, appeared on charges of theft of government property, damage to government property, and cutting/removing timber from public lands. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, ASLESON faces possible penalties of 1 year in prison, a $100,000 fine and 1 year 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.

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.

 

 

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