The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on March 25, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:

IREN MANN McCURDY, a 33-year-old resident of Crow Agency, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine to a pregnant individual, and distribution of methamphetamine to an individual under the age of 21. McCURDY is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, McCURDY faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 fine and at least 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori H. Suek is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

LUIS GUZMAN-HERNANDEZ, a 29-year-old citizen of Mexico, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, GUZMAN-HERNANDEZ faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vince Carroll is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

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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