The U.S. Attorney’s Office has reported recent arraignments before U.S. Magistrate judges involving several individuals facing serious charges. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Jeffrey Thomas Maki, 40, from Billings, appeared on January 2 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan in Billings. He pleaded not guilty to charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious offense, Maki could face up to 30 years in prison for bank fraud and a mandatory minimum of two years for identity theft, along with substantial fines and supervised release terms. Maki remains detained pending further proceedings following an investigation by the FBI and Billings Police Department (PACER case reference: 24-171).
On December 23, Ricardo Alberto Salazar Contreras, 33, whose residence is unknown, faced charges related to drug trafficking and firearm possession in furtherance of drug crimes. If found guilty of the most severe charge, Contreras could receive a sentence ranging from five to forty years for drug-related offenses and five years to life for firearm-related offenses. He was also detained pending further legal action after investigations conducted by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, FBI, and Montana Highway Patrol (PACER case reference: 24-169).
Felipe Michael Garza, 31, from Washington appeared on December 30 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto in Missoula. Garza pleaded not guilty to charges involving methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution as well as firearm possession related to drug trafficking activities. Conviction on these charges could result in a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years to life imprisonment for drug offenses and additional penalties for firearm-related offenses. The investigation was carried out by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations (PACER case reference: 24-65).
The progress of these cases can be tracked through the U.S District Court Calendar or PACER system online.