Informational: Federal Court Arraignments
U.S. Attorney’s Office January 31, 2012 |
The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on January 31, 2012, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, the following individuals were arraigned:
JASON KEAHI ANTHONY, a 32-year-old resident of Helena, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and distribution of methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, ANTHONY faces 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette L. Stewart is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
ARTHUR DENNIS KUIPERS, a 59-year-old resident of Helena, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and distribution of methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, KUIPERS faces 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette L. Stewart 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.