Montana Crime Wave: Four Arraigned in Federal Court

GREAT FALLS & MISSOULA, MT – A flurry of federal arraignments hit Montana courts last week, exposing a range of criminal activity from interstate theft rings to serious firearms violations. The Grimy Times has been tracking these cases as they move through the system, bringing you the raw details the mainstream media ignores.

DANIEL WILLIAM DOBLER, 34, of Lakewood, Washington, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Johnston in Great Falls on February 16, 2017, pleading Not Guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and interstate transportation of stolen property. The FBI, Montana Highway Patrol, Valley County Sheriff’s Office, and Minot North Dakota Police Department jointly investigated the case. If convicted on the most serious charge, DOBLER faces a hefty 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines, and 3 years of supervised release. (PACER Case Reference: 17-04)

Also on February 16th, NATHAN SCOTT CROWLEY, 37, of Trout Creek, entered a Not Guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Lynch in Missoula. CROWLEY is accused of being a felon in possession of a firearm – a charge carrying severe consequences. A conviction could land him with a life sentence, a $250,000 fine, and 5 years of supervised release. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Sanders County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service led the investigation. (PACER Case Reference: 16-46)

Great Falls saw another round of arraignments earlier in the month. On February 13, 2017, VANESSA DAWN VALLIER, 33, of Great Falls, stood before U.S. Magistrate Johnston to answer to charges of theft of mail, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and misuse of a passport. The U.S. Postal Service and Great Falls Police Department investigated. A conviction on the most serious charges could result in 20 years behind bars, $250,000 in fines, and 3 years of supervised release. (PACER Case Reference: 17-12)

Adding to the caseload, RYAN GEORGE BREDESON, 34, also of Great Falls, appeared before Magistrate Johnston on February 6, 2017, pleading Not Guilty to theft of mail and wire fraud. Like Vallier, BREDESON faces a potential 20-year sentence, $250,000 in fines, and 3 years of supervised release if convicted on the most serious charge. The U.S. Postal Service and Great Falls Police Department handled the investigation. (PACER Case Reference: 17-12)

Grimy Times urges media outlets and concerned citizens to monitor these cases closely. The U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system (http://www.pacer.gov/register.html) provide access to crucial case documents and updates. Stay informed – the justice system doesn’t operate in a vacuum. Access the district court’s calendar at https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.