Informational: Federal Court Arraignments
| U.S. Attorney’s Office March 24, 2011 |
The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls on March 24, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, the following individuals were arraigned:
JOSEPH MICHAEL SURE CHIEF, a 35-year-old resident of Browning, appeared on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault with a dangerous weapon, and kidnapping. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, SURE CHIEF faces possible penalties of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years' supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura B. Weiss is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
JOHN JOSEPH TATSEY, a 30-year-old resident of Cut Bank, appeared on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault with a dangerous weapon. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, TATSEY faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years' supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura B. Weiss is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
ARKINSON RANDON, a 32-year-old resident of Box Elder, appeared on a charge of abusive sexual conduct. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, RANDON faces possible penalties of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years' supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura B. Weiss is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
DALE JEROME BEAR, age 25, ANTHONY AARON MAZAWASICUNA, age 20, and JOSEPH RAE TWO HEARS, age 20, residents of Poplar, appeared on charges of theft from an Indian tribal organization. They are currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, they each face possible penalties of five 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 Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation Division.
GREGORY SCOTT HENRY, age 33, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, HENRY faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, 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 a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tri-Agency Drug Task Force.
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.