Informational: Federal Court Arraignments

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on January 17, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge JEREMIAH C. LYNCH, the following individuals were arraigned:

ERIC DUFRESNE, a 39-year-old resident of Stevensville, appeared on a charge of possession of child pornography. If convicted of this charge, DUFRESNE faces possible penalties of 10 years 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 the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Missoula County Sheriff's Office and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.

TERRANCE LAURENT TAYLOR, a 30-year-old resident of Alameda, California, appeared on a charge of tampering with a witness. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, TAYLOR faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the United States Marshals Service.

JOSHUA EMIL RUNION, age 39, appeared on a charge of counterfeiting obligations or securities of the United States. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, RUNION faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service.

CURTIS KEITH TICHENOR, a 52-year-old resident of Helena, appeared on charges of robbery, being a felon-in-possession of a firearm, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, TICHENOR faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Missoula Police Department, and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force.

THOMAS JOSEPH SPOTTED EAGLE, a 30-year-old resident of Ronan, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and the use of a communications facility in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, SPOTTED EAGLE faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine, and 4 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica T. Fehr is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Task Force.

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.