A federal grand jury in Montana has indicted James Michael Garcia, 26, of Brockton, on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and felony child abuse. The alleged crimes occurred on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.
Garcia pleaded not guilty to the charges on February 27. If convicted, he faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. Garcia was detained.
The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference is 19-07.
Garcia is the first defendant listed in a recent series of arraignments before U.S. Magistrate judges in Montana. Several others have also been charged with various crimes.
Details of the other arraignments are as follows:
Deputee, Jonathan Levi, 42, of Hardin, was charged with failure to register as a sexual offender. He pleaded not guilty on February 27 and faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life of supervised release. Deputee was detained.
Prettypaint-Alvarado, Melissa Ann, 41, of Crow Agency, was charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury alleged to have occurred on the Crow Indian Reservation. She pleaded not guilty and faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Prettypaint-Alvarado was detained.
Lee, Zachary Benedict, 33, of Billings, was charged with prohibited person in possession of a firearm. He pleaded not guilty and faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Lee was detained.
Altman, Kenneth Clarence, 26, of Billings, was charged with prohibited person in possession of a firearm. He pleaded not guilty and faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Altman was detained.
Costa, Ralph Kenneth, 34, of Crow Agency, was charged with assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a dating partner alleged to have occurred on the Crow Indian Reservation. He pleaded not guilty and faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Costa was detained.
Lanphear, Amber Lynn, 33, of Billings, was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm. She pleaded not guilty and faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine, and at least four years of supervised release. Lanphear was detained.
Foster, Lawrence Alex, 46, of Billings, was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, attempted possession, and possession with intent to distribute meth. He pleaded not guilty and faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine, and five years of supervised release. Foster was detained.
The cases were investigated by various law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Related Federal Cases
- Terrence Fred Cachini, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, … · New Mexico
- Daniel Vincent Olguin, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Bosque Farms NM, 2022 · New Mexico
- Gilbert Raymond Martinez, Assault with 9mm Pistol, Montana 2024 · New Mexico
- Gilbert Raymond Martinez, Assault with Weapon, Montana 2024 · New Mexico
- Michael J. Ackerman, Triple Homicide, Montana 2025 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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