Informational: Federal Court Arraignments

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on June 15, 2009, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:

TANNER JOHN OSWEILER, a 21-year-old resident of Kalispell, appeared on a charge of receipt of child pornography. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, OSWEILER 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 Cyndee L. Peterson is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

SIDNEY KIRYAKOS, a resident of Modesto, California, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, KIRYAKOS faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine and at least four years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

MICHAEL SULLIVAN, a 61-year-old resident of San Diego, California, appeared on a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, SULLIVAN faces possible penalties of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan M. Archer 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.