Informational: Federal Court Arraignment

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on January 31, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individual was arraigned:

JOSEPH MATTHEW BALLANTYNE, a 54-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on a charge of failure to register as a sexual offender. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, BALLANTYNE 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 United States Marshals Service.

The defendant pled not guilty to the charge.

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.