Informational: Federal Court Initial Appearances

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on October 24, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, the following individuals were arraigned:

Shane Hiawatha Denny, a 37-year-old resident of Box Elder, appeared on charges of assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, Denny faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release on the first charge; and 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release on each of the last two charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danna R. Jackson is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Tyler Lee Balibardin, a 21-year-old resident of Tacoma, Washington, appeared on three charges of sexual abuse of a minor. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, Balibardin faces possible penalties of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and lifetime supervision on each 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.

Guillermo Quintero Regino, a 43-year-old resident of San Diego, California, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute heroin. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, Regino faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $10,000,000 fine, and five years’ supervised release on each charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Michael Nolemana Lopes, age 27, and Laura Lynn Severance, age 26, residents of Helena, each appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. They are currently detained. If convicted of these charges, they each face possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $5,000,000 fine, and four years’ supervised release on each of the first two charges. In addition, they each face an additional mandatory minimum of five years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Lahr is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the 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.