Informational: Federal Court Arraignments
| U.S. Attorney’s Office December 21, 2010 |
The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on December 21, 2010, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:
FABIAN CRUZ DAWES, a 21-year-old resident of Crow Agency, appeared on charges of burglary, arson, and theft. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, DAWES faces possible penalties of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years’ supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney E. Vincent Carroll is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
SARAH ANNE HOUSLEY, a 33-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on a charge of bank embezzlement. She is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, HOUSLEY faces possible penalties of 30 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine and five years’ supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan M. Archer is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
JOY CRABTREE PIGMAN, a 57-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. She is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, PIGMAN faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of ten years up to life in prison, a $4,000,000 fine and at least five years’ supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force, which includes the Billings Police Department and the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office.
TAMMY SUE MADDEN, a 40-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on a charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. She is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, MADDEN faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of ten years up to life in prison, a $4,000,000 fine and at least five years’ supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force, which includes the Billings Police Department and the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office.
MICHAEL DEAN SWANSON, a 41-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, SWANSON faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of ten years up to life in prison, a $4,000,000 fine and at least five years’ supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force, which includes the Billings Police Department and the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office.
JACK DANIEL PETERS, a 39-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on a charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, PETERS faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of ten years up to life in prison, a $4,000,000 fine and at least five years’ supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force, which includes the Billings Police Department and the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office.
LUIS GUZMAN-HERNANDEZ, a 29-year-old resident of Mexico, appeared on charges of illegal re-entry of deported alien and assault. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, GUZMAN-HERNANDEZ faces possible penalties of ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years’ supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia Hurd is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigations were conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and 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.