The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on Feb. 21, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge R. Keith Strong, the following individuals were arraigned:
KE XU, a 25-year-old resident of San Gabriel, California, appeared on charges of conspiracy to commit fraud, wire fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, XU faces possible penalties of twenty years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Whittaker is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
LIANG WANG, a 30-year-old resident of Monterey, California, appeared on charges of conspiracy to commit fraud, wire fraud, and access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, WANG faces possible penalties of twenty years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Whittaker is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
RODNEY LANE COOPER, a 50-year-old resident of Havre, appeared on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, COOPER faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison up to 40 years in prison, a $2,000,000 fine, and 4 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Tri-Agency 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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
