Informational: Federal Court Arraignments

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on April 14, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:

JULIO VASQUEZ, a 20-year-old resident of Seattle, Washington, appeared on a charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, VASQUEZ faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine and at least four years’ supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette L. Stewart is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.

SCARLA DEE RUSSELL, a 33-year-old resident of Kalispell, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. She is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, RUSSELL faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine and at least four years’ supervised release . Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. Wolfe is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.

TRACIE MARIE JORDAN, a 33-year-old resident of Big Fork, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. She is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, JORDAN faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine and at least four years’ supervised release . Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. Wolfe is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was 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.