Informational: Federal Court Arraignments

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls on April 28, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge R. Keith Strong, the following individuals were arraigned:

DAVID ANDREW PEPION, a 23-year-old resident of Browning, appeared on a charge of malicious mischief to government property. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, PEPION faces possible penalties of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura B. Weiss is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service .

SACRED RAIN RUNS THROUGH, a 22-year-old resident of Wolf Point, appeared on charges of theft from a federal firearms licensee and possession of a stolen firearm. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, RUNS THROUGH faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

ROBIN ROY MARTELL, a 35-year-old resident of Frazier, appeared on charges of aggravated sexual abuse, assault with intent to commit murder, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and assault with a dangerous weapon. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, MARTELL faces possible penalties of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and lifetime supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation Division.

MARCUS GERALD FAST HORSE, a 19-year-old resident of Poplar, appeared on charges of conspiracy to commit burglary and burglary. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, FAST HORSE faces possible penalties of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl E. Rostad is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation Division.

RONALD CHARLES PEPPERS, a 35-year-old resident of Browning, appeared on charges of domestic assault by habitual offender, felon in possession of a firearm, and assault on a federal officer. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, PEPPERS faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl E. Rostad is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

WILLIAM FREDERICK HEAVYRUNNER, a 20-year-old resident of Browning, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine, and use or possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, HEAVYRUNNER faces possible penalties of a minimum mandatory 10 years up to life in prison, a $4,000,000 fine, and at least five years' supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. Wolfe is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.

JULIANNA MARIE LEWIS aka Elias Allan Lewis, a 23-year-old resident of Pasco, Washington, appeared on a charges of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine, and use or possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. She is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, LEWIS faces possible penalties of a minimum mandatory 10 years up to life in prison, a $4,000,000 fine and at least five years' supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. Wolfe is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Montana Division of Criminal 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.