BILLINGS, MT – A wave of federal arraignments hit Montana courts this month, revealing a disturbing mix of drug trafficking, violent assaults, and fraud schemes. Among those facing serious charges is Jomo Kenyatta Johnny Hill, 50, of Jackson, Mississippi, accused of running fentanyl through the state. Hill appeared in Billings on May 18th and pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
If convicted on the most serious charge, Hill could face a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, along with a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. The firearm charge carries a separate mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. The case, investigated by the Montana Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), underscores the deadly flow of fentanyl into the region. Hill was detained pending further proceedings; case reference 22-88.
The courtroom wasn’t just filled with drug charges. Curtis Leo Crazymule, 45, of Lame Deer, also faced a judge on May 18th, accused of assault of an intimate and dating partner resulting in substantial bodily injury and assault of an intimate and dating partner by strangulation. A conviction could land Crazymule up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. He was also detained. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, FBI, and Indian Health Service spearheaded that investigation; case reference 23-44. On May 16th, Justin Heigis Windecker, 43, of Billings, was arraigned on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, potentially facing five to 40 years behind bars and a $5 million fine if convicted; case reference 23-34.
Further back, on May 15th, Mark Steven Elkshoulder, 56, of Billings, found himself in court for failing to register as a sex offender, a crime that could result in a 10-year prison sentence, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. He was detained. The U.S. Marshals Service led the investigation; case reference 23-35. The following day, May 12th, Stephen “Mutt” John Parker, 60, of Lame Deer, was arraigned on extremely serious charges: aggravated sexual abuse and distribution of meth. If found guilty, Parker could receive a life sentence, a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory minimum of five years to a lifetime of supervised release; case reference 23-30.
Rounding out the recent indictments, Richard Williams Brooks, 81, of Hamilton, appeared on May 15th, facing wire fraud charges. A conviction could mean up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Brooks was released pending further proceedings, investigated by the FBI; case reference 23-23. Finally, on May 11th, Tristen Jay Peters, 26, of Billings, was arraigned on charges of attempted possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, facing a mandatory minimum of five to 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine if convicted. Peters was also detained.
These arraignments, while just initial steps in the legal process, paint a grim picture of criminal activity plaguing Montana. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, but the charges themselves reveal a persistent undercurrent of drug trafficking, violence, and financial exploitation. Grimy Times will continue to follow these cases as they develop, bringing you the unvarnished truth about federal crime in the region. All case references can be found on PACER.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
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