The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on February 7, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individual was arraigned:

WILLIAM RICHARD NIELSEN, a 24-year-old resident of Missoula, appeared on charges of coercion and enticement of a minor. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, NIELSEN faces possible penalties of life in prison, 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 Missoula Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

The defendant 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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