The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls on February 4, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, MARLYS YOUNG RUNNING CRANE, a 59-year-old resident of Browning, was arraigned and pled guilty to misprision of a felony. Sentencing is set for June 3, 2013.
In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
Beginning in November 2010, Louis Romero, Henry Lopez, and several other individuals facilitated the distribution of methamphetamine in Browning and Great Falls.
During this time, YOUNG RUNNING CRANE had full knowledge that several of the other individuals were all involved in illegal methamphetamine distribution. YOUNG RUNNING CRANE failed to notify any authorities of these illegal activities. In fact, when law enforcement questioned YOUNG RUNNING CRANE, she provided an untruthful statement that this drug activity was not occurring, which in effect, concealed the crime.
Romero and Lopez pled guilty to federal charges.
YOUNG RUNNING CRANE faces possible penalties of 3 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 1 year supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by the Montana Violent Crimes Task Force.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
