Informational: Federal Court Arraignments

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on April 9, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, the following individuals were arraigned:

David Muskrat, a 35-year-old resident of Poplar, appeared on charges of first-and second-degree murder. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, Muskrat faces possible penalties of mandatory life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura B. Weiss is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation Division.

Creston Kindness, a 30-year-old resident of Fort Hall, Idaho, appeared on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault with a dangerous weapon, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, Kindness faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of five years and could be sentenced to life, a $250,000 fine, and five years’ supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danna R. Jackson is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Freddy Wayne Jimenez, a 40-year-old resident of Browning, appeared on charges of six counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and five counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, Jimenez faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release for each count. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Vern Thomas Gardipee, a 48-year-old resident of Box Elder, appeared on a charges of aggravated sexual abuse and sexual abuse of a minor. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, Gardipee faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $250,000 fine, and five years’ supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danna R. Jackson is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

C’erra Dawn Clark, a resident of Poplar, appeared on a charge of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. She is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, Clark 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 a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation Division.

Jonathan James Henderson, a 28-year-old resident of Great Falls, appeared on a charge of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, Henderson faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of five years and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $5,000,000 fine, and five years’ supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan R. Whittaker is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Wilma Jamie Rae Hoyt, a 29-year-old resident of Browning, 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, Hoyt faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of five years and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $5,000,000 fine, and four years’ supervised release on each of the first two charges; and 20 years, a $1,000,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release on the third charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Sergio Alejandro Lopez, a 37-year-old resident of Portland, Oregon, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and two counts of distribution of methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, Lopez faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 fine, and five years’ supervised release on each of the first two charges; and a mandatory minimum of five years and possible sentence of 40 years, a $4,000,000 fine, and four years’ supervised release on the last two charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. Thaggard is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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.