Montana Fraud & Sex Offender Crackdown

Great Falls, MT – A wave of federal indictments hit Montana courts this February, exposing a range of criminal activity from welfare fraud to bank schemes and failures to comply with sex offender registration laws. Grimy Times has the rundown on those recently arraigned, facing potentially lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines.

Harlem’s Brockie Faces Welfare Fraud Charges: Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Johnston on February 24, 2015, NICOLE MARIE BROCKIE, 41, of Harlem, pleaded not guilty to charges of theft of federally provided welfare benefits by fraud, federal welfare assistance fraud, and theft from an Indian tribal organization. If convicted on the most serious charges, Brockie could face up to 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines, and 3 years of supervised release. The investigation was spearheaded by the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. (PACER Case Reference: 15-05)

Texas Man Accused of Wire Fraud & Money Laundering: Also on February 24th, in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynch, JOSEPH BRENT LOFTIS, 60, of Irving, Texas, entered a not guilty plea to charges of wire fraud and money laundering. Loftis is looking at a potential 20-year prison sentence, $250,000 in fines, and 3 years supervised release if convicted. This case was a joint effort by the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (PACER Case Reference: 15-11)

Box Elder Duo Charged with Tax Crimes: The previous day, February 23rd, in Great Falls, U.S. Magistrate Judge Johnston oversaw the arraignments of FRANK GREGORY HENRY, 51, and MELODY BILLY HENRY, 50, both residents of Box Elder. Both pleaded not guilty to willful failure to file a federal income tax return and federal income tax fraud/filing a false return. A conviction could bring up to 3 years in prison, $100,000 in fines, and 1 year of supervised release. The complex investigation involved the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of Interior Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General and Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. (PACER Case Reference: 15-06)

Billings Sex Offender Cases: Down in Billings, U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby addressed two separate cases of failure to register as a sex offender on February 20, 2015. ANDREW WAYNE HULEN, 25, and WILJO CLEVE SPANG, 23, both entered not guilty pleas. The potential consequences are severe: up to 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines, and lifetime supervised release. The U.S. Marshals Service led both investigations. (PACER Case References: 15-12, 15-16)

Laurel Woman Faces Bank Fraud Allegations: Finally, on February 19th, also before Judge Ostby in Billings, JACQUELINE SUE SPITZER, 47, of Laurel, was arraigned on charges of bank fraud. The stakes are high – a conviction could result in a 30-year prison sentence, $1,000,000 in fines, and 5 years of supervised release. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. (PACER)

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