NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 20, 2003

CONTACT:

William W. Mercer United States Attorney for the District of Montana (406) 247-4639

 

 

 

INFORMATIONAL: FEDERAL COURT ARRAIGNMENTS

       Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today

       that during a federal court session in Billings on May 16, 2003 before U.S. District Court Judge Richard F. Cebull, FRANK JOSEPH LEWIS

       appeared on charges of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user and addict of controlled substance. LEWIS is a resident of Livingston.

       If convicted of these charges, LEWIS faces possible penalties of ten years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release.

       Assistant U.S. Attorney Ed Laws is the prosecutor for the United States.

       The investigative agency was the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

       In Great Falls, on May 15, 2003, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn Ostby, JOSE MARTINEZ-GOMEZ, age 36,

       appeared on charges of illegal re-entry by a deported alien. The court has set a date for a pretrial conference on May 22, 2003. MARTINEZ-GOMEZ is a resident of Mexico.

       If convicted of these charges, GOMEZ faces possible penalties of twenty years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release.

       Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is the prosecutor for the United States.

       The investigative agency was the U.S. Border Patrol.

       THOMAS DYLAN PUNZO appeared on charges of attempted importation of red phosphorus. PUNZO is a resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

       If convicted of this complaint, PUNZO faces possible penalties of twenty years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release.

       Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Rostad is the prosecutor for the United States.

       The investigative agency was the U.S. Customs Service.

       In Missoula on May 15, 2003, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leif B. Erickson, ROY HOWARD FOOTE appeared on a complaint of being an unlawful user of controlled substance in possession of a firearm and subject to a court order of protection, knowingly possessed a firearm. The court has set a date for a pretrial conference on May 23, 2003. FOOTE is a resident of Missoula.

       If convicted of these charges, FOOTE faces possible penalties for being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm of ten years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release. For being subject to a court order of protection knowingly in possession of a firearm, possible penalties are ten years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release.

       Assistant U.S. Attorney Kris McLean is the prosecutor for the United States.

       The investigative agency was the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

       SHANE STEVEN WHITE, age 40, appeared on charges of possession of a sawed-off shotgun. The court has set a date for a pretrial conference on May 23, 2003.

       If convicted of these charges, WHITE faces possible penalties of ten years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release.

       Assistant U.S. Attorney Kris A. McLean is the prosecutor for the United States.

       The investigative agency was the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

       DOUGLAS GEORGE JENSEN, age 44, appeared on charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. JENSEN is a resident of Whitefish.

       If convicted of these charges, JENSEN faces possible penalties of life imprisonment, a $4,000,000 and five years supervised release.

       Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Van de Wetering is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigative agency was the Drug Enforcement Administration.

       On May 10, 2003, JONATHON CLAYTON HAYS, age 21, appeared on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. HAYS is a resident of Stevensville.

       If convicted of these charges, HAYS faces possible penalties of twenty years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine and three years supervised release.

       All 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.