The U.S. Attorney's Office has announced several arraignments before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments issued by the Grand Jury or criminal complaints. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

In Billings, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan, Jared Cordell Stewart, 53, of Crow Agency, pleaded not guilty to charges of abusive sexual contact of a minor and sexual abuse of a minor on January 21. If convicted of the most serious crime, Stewart could face life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release. He was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case under PACER case reference 25-10.

Also appearing in Billings was Shawn Leon Anderson, 54, facing charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute these drugs. If found guilty of the most serious offense, Anderson faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and at least three years of supervised release. He was detained pending further proceedings following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation under PACER case reference 24-38.

In Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto on January 21, Stephen Joe Boardner, 61, from Columbia Falls entered a plea of not guilty to charges related to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution thereof. Conviction for the most severe charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence ranging from ten years to life imprisonment alongside a $10 million fine and at least five years supervised release period. Boardner remains detained as investigations continue by Northwest Drug Task Force under PACER case reference 22-36.

These cases can be tracked through the U.S District Court Calendar and PACER system online resources.