BILLINGS, MT – Federal authorities in Montana are dealing with a surge of criminal activity, as evidenced by a string of arraignments this week. The cases range from hard drugs and firearms to sex crimes and financial fraud, painting a bleak picture of the criminal underbelly of the state.
Moises Zamora, 38, of Greeley, Colorado, appeared in Billings federal court on February 24th, facing charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious charge, Zamora could spend the rest of his life behind bars, facing a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a potential $10 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release. He is currently being held pending further court proceedings. The bust was the result of a joint investigation by the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, and the FBI.
Elsewhere in Montana, Edwin Ivan Don’tMix, 59, of Crow Agency, was arraigned on February 23rd on charges of abusive sexual contact. The FBI handled the investigation. A conviction on the most serious charge could result in a life sentence, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life of supervised release. Don’tMix was released while the case proceeds.
In Missoula, Bo Jordan Bradley, 31, of Bozeman, pleaded not guilty on February 22nd to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He faces up to 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release if convicted. The case was a collaborative effort between Montana Probation and Parole and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Bradley was released pending further proceedings. Separately, Joseph Anthony Schrantz, 35, of Missoula, also appeared in Missoula court on February 21st, facing charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, and the unlawful taking of a firearm from a licensed dealer. Schrantz, if convicted on the most serious charge, could receive a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life, a $10 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release. He was detained.
The financial crimes are just as disturbing. Darcel Portra Saunders, 65, of Bozeman, appeared on February 21st, facing wire fraud and money laundering charges. A conviction could land Saunders a 20-year prison sentence, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Saunders was released pending further proceedings. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation.
These cases highlight the ongoing battle against crime in Montana, and the dedication of federal agencies to bringing perpetrators to justice. For those interested in tracking the progress of these cases, information can be found through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system, available at http://www.pacer.gov/register.html and https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl, respectively. Case references: 23-20, 22-147, 23-01, 23-6, 23-02.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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