James Everett Kamminga Jr, Meth Trafficking, Montana 2016

The streets of Billings, Montana, are about to get a whole lot safer as James Everett Kamminga Jr., 33, faces life in prison for his alleged role in a massive methamphetamine trafficking operation. According to court documents, Kamminga was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Ostby on May 9, 2016, and entered a plea of Not Guilty to charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.

If convicted, Kamminga could be looking at a lengthy prison sentence, including up to life in prison, fines of $10,000,000, and 5 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the HIDTA Task Force, and the indictment was handed down by the Grand Jury.

Kamminga is not the only one facing serious charges. Zachary James Lozier, 32, was also arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Ostby on May 9, 2016, and entered a plea of Not Guilty to charges of illegal receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment and possession of stolen firearms. If convicted, Lozier faces up to 10 years in prison, fines of $250,000, and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Lois Ann Potter, 57, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Johnston in Great Falls on May 5, 2016, and entered a plea of Not Guilty to charges of harboring a fugitive and false statements to federal law enforcement. If convicted, Potter faces up to 5 years in prison, fines of $250,000, and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service.

Shelly Dawn Pyeatt, 46, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Johnston in Great Falls on May 3, 2016, and entered a plea of Not Guilty to charges of misappropriation of postal funds and issuance of money orders without payments. If convicted, Pyeatt faces up to 10 years in prison, fines of $250,000, and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.

Randy Scott Laedeke, 59, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Ostby in Billings on April 29, 2016, and entered a plea of Not Guilty to charges of wire fraud. If convicted, Laedeke faces up to 20 years in prison, fines of $250,000, and 3 years supervised release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The public can stay up-to-date on the progress of these cases by monitoring the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system. To access the district court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl, and to establish a PACER account, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html.

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