Informational: Federal Court Arraignments

Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Missoula, on July 30, 2009, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:

ROBERT JAMES LAWTON, a 53-year-old resident of Bozeman, appeared on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, LAWTON faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and could be sentenced to 20 years, 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, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Helena Police Department, and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.

MARY EUDORA RAY, a 37-year-old resident of Lolo, appeared on charges of theft of federal government money, Social Security benefits fraud, and making fraudulent claims. She is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, RAY faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl E. Rostad is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General.

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.