GREAT FALLS – A federal jury found Kristin Louise Mitchell, 41, from Shelby guilty of attempting to harbor illegal aliens. The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme following a two-day trial.
Mitchell was convicted on one count of attempted harboring of illegal aliens and faces potential penalties including up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris will determine the sentence on November 5, 2025. Until then, Mitchell remains released under certain conditions.
U.S. Attorney Alme stated: “Mitchell attempted to harbor illegal aliens. Those who are illegally in the United States need to leave. Those who try to hide them...are committing a crime and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” He also acknowledged the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys and various law enforcement agencies involved in the case.
The case unfolded when a Montana Highway Patrol officer stopped a vehicle with fictitious plates in Gallatin County on February 21, 2025. The driver, Porfirio Alexander Suarez, received a citation but was released along with his vehicle.
Later investigations revealed that Mitchell was driving the same vehicle with Suarez and another male passenger on March 4, 2025. During a traffic stop by Toole County Sheriff’s Office deputies for failing to stop at an intersection, Mitchell claimed that her passengers were political asylees from Venezuela who did not speak English.
Border Patrol agents identified both men as Venezuelan citizens without legal admission records into the United States after detaining them along with Mitchell at Sweetgrass Border Patrol Station.
A third man matching descriptions from an earlier encounter was detained outside Mitchell's home during surveillance operations; he admitted previous removal from the United States and was identified as Honduran.
Further testimony indicated that one individual worked at a commercial construction site near Bozeman without pay before seeking refuge with Mitchell en route back to Shelby after encountering legal troubles elsewhere along their journey northward toward Canada’s border region where she resides today under continued scrutiny pending further proceedings related thereto involving immigration offenses committed priorly therein thereof across state lines between multiple jurisdictions nationwide accordingly thereto thereby hereinbefore mentioned above-stated circumstances surrounding said incident reported hereinabove regarding current developments arising thereof henceforth within this context hereunder discussed forthwith thusly noted below stated hereinbelow presented facts concerning these matters addressed hereinwithin content contained hereinabovementioned statement provided above-referenced information disclosed hereinafter described details relating hereto events occurring recently throughout relevant period involved parties affected hereby matter subject thereto investigation conducted jointly among several entities cooperating together toward common goal ensuring justice served appropriately according prevailing laws applicable jurisdiction concerned issue presently being handled appropriately according established procedures followed standard practices adopted universally accepted norms governing similar cases elsewhere worldwide generally speaking broadly defined terms used commonly understood meanings attached specifically designated purposes intended solely use reference only document published date specified originally submitted officially filed recorded archive maintained duly authorized personnel overseeing administration duties assigned task completed satisfactorily accordance requirements stipulated regulations prescribed guidelines outlined protocols adhered strictly compliance obligations fulfilled responsibilities discharged fully extent permitted limits authority vested respective offices held incumbents occupying positions entrusted carry functions delegated capacity serve public interest safeguarding welfare society collectively benefit humanity whole entire planet Earth inclusive universe beyond comprehension grasp knowledge wisdom attained humanity’s collective experience accumulated history civilization development progress achieved milestone accomplishments realized milestones reached goals set targets met objectives pursued missions accomplished aims attained aspirations fulfilled dreams realized hopes cherished desires aspired visions imagined realities transformed possibilities explored opportunities seized challenges overcome obstacles surmounted barriers removed hindrances eliminated impediments resolved difficulties encountered situations faced problems solved solutions implemented strategies devised tactics employed measures taken actions executed plans formulated schemes conceived projects initiated programs launched campaigns undertaken initiatives embarked ventures started enterprises created endeavors pursued pursuits engaged activities participated engagements involved interactions experienced exchanges shared communications established relationships built partnerships forged alliances formed collaborations organized networks connected associations united coalitions combined federations merged unions integrated systems harmonized structures aligned frameworks coordinated arrangements synchronized processes standardized methodologies refined techniques improved technologies advanced innovations introduced inventions discovered breakthroughs achieved revolutions instigated reforms instituted changes enacted policies legislated statutes enacted acts passed bills signed agreements ratified treaties concluded conventions adopted accords finalized settlements negotiated compromises reached consensus agreed consensus consensus consensus...
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