Informational: Federal Court Initial Appearances

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on October 25, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individuals were arraigned:

Charles Joseph Walks, a 29-year-old resident of Crow Agency, appeared on a charge of assault on a federal officer. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, Walks faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Georgie Morris Parisian, age 50, and Tammie Marie Parisian, age 49, residents of Shepherd, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and money laundering. They are currently detained. If convicted of these charges, they each face possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 fine, and five years’ supervised release on each of the first two charges; and 20 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release on the last charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation 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.