Informational: Federal Court Arraignments
| U.S. Attorney’s Office February 22, 2011 |
The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on February 22, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:
RANDALL NOT AFRAID, a 41-year-old resident of Lodge Grass, appeared on charges of impeding a federal officer by threats and threat via interstate communications. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, NOT AFRAID faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney E. Vincent Carroll is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
JEFFREY MEDICINE HORSE, a 56-year-old resident of the Lodge Grass area, appeared on a charge of sexual abuse. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, MEDICINE HORSE faces possible penalties of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and lifetime supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
MICHELLE MARIE SIPES, a 43-year-old resident of Billings, appeared on a charge of conspiracy to sexually exploit children. She is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, SIPES faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and could be sentenced to 30 years, a $250,000 fine, and five years’ supervised release. 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.