Informational: Federal Court Arraignments

Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on August 25, 2009, before Senior U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Holter, the following individuals were arraigned:

COLLINS RAY RUSSELL, a resident of Lame Deer, appeared on charges of conspiracy, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime, and being a felon-in-possession of a firearm. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, RUSSELL faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. In addition, RUSSELL faces an additional mandatory five year imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence, for the use or possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

RAYNE ALLEN WOLERY, a 30-year-old resident of Belgrade, appeared on a charge of sexual exploitation of a minor. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, WOLERY faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and could be sentenced to 30 years, 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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.