Federal Court Arraignments

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on July 24, 2012, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:

Amasa Pickney Niles, IV, a resident of Billings, 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, Niles faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 fine, and five years’ supervised release. 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, the Billings Police Department, and the Billings Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force.

Frankie Dushane Kindness, a 39-year-old resident of Crow Agency, appeared on a charge of assault on a federal officer. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, Kindness faces possible penalties of 20 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 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.