The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on Oct. 29, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, the following individuals were arraigned:
GEORGE THEODORE SUTHERLAND, a 20-year-old resident of Box Elder, appeared on a charge of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, he faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danna R. Jackson is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
HAILEY LEE BELCOURT, age 35, and TONY JAMES BELCOURT, age 41, residents of Box Elder, and SHAD JAMES HUSTON, a 37-year-old resident of Havre, appeared on charges of conspiracy to embezzle/convert federal money, theft involving a federally funded program, and accepting bribes. They are currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, they each face possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release on multiple counts of the above charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl E. Rostad is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by a team of agents and auditors working with the U.S. Attorney's Guardians Project, including the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Interior, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service.
K & N CONSULTING, LLC and TMP SERVICES, LLC, of Havre, appeared on charges of conspiracy to embezzle/convert federal money, theft involving a federally funded program, and giving bribes. If convicted of these charges, they each face possible penalties of a $500,000 fine on each charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl E. Rostad is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by a team of agents and auditors working with the U.S. Attorney's Guardians Project, including the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Interior, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service.
TONY JAMES BELCOURT, age 41, and HUNTER BURNS, age 48, residents of Box Elder, and JAMES HOWARD EASTLICK, JR., a resident of Havre, appeared on charges of false claims conspiracy, false claim against a federally funded project, and theft from an Indian tribal organization receiving federal funds. They are currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, they each face possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release on multiple counts of the above charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl E. Rostad is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by a team of agents and auditors working with the U.S. Attorney's Guardians Project, including the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Interior, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service.
HUNTER BURNS CONSTRUCTION, LLC, of Havre, appeared on charges of false claims conspiracy, false claim against a federally funded project, and theft from an Indian tribal organization receiving federal funds. If convicted of these charges, the company faces possible penalties of a $500,000 fine on each charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl E. Rostad is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by a team of agents and auditors working with the U.S. Attorney's Guardians Project, including the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Interior, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service.
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
