Six Seniors Indicted for Tax Evasion, Bankruptcy Fraud, Montana 2013

Great Falls, Montana - In a shocking turn of events, six seniors were arraigned in federal court for a string of financial crimes, including tax evasion and bankruptcy fraud. The indictment, handed down on August 8, 2013, named the defendants as:

Francis Kay Onstad, 60, a resident of Valier, Montana, appeared on Counts I, II-XXII, XXIII-XXVIII, and XXX-XXXIII.

Delyle Shanny Augare, 57, a resident of Browning, Montana, appeared on Counts I, II-XXVIII, and XXXIV-XXXVII.

Gary Joseph Conti, 67, a resident of Three Forks, Montana, appeared on Counts I, II-XXVIII, and XXIX.

Dorothy May Still Smoking, 64, a resident of East Glacier, Montana, appeared on Counts I, and II-XXV.

Katheryn Elizabeth Sherman, 66, a resident of East Glacier, Montana, appeared on Counts I, and II-XXV.

Charlotte B. New Breast, 52, a resident of East Glacier, Montana, appeared on Counts I, II-XXII, and XXVII.

The defendants, all in their 50s and 60s, were released on special conditions pending their trial, which is set to take place in the coming months. The charges against the six seniors include:

Count I: Conspiracy to Defraud The United States - 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release

Counts II-XXII: Scheme to Defraud the United States and the Blackfeet Tribe/Wire - 20 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release

Count XXIII: Federal False Claims Act Conspiracy - 10 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release

Count XXIV: Federal False Claims Act - 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release

Count XXV: Theft of Federal Property by Fraud - 10 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release

Counts XXVI & XXVII: Theft from an Indian Tribal Government Receiving Federal Grants - 10 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release

Count XXVIII: Money Laundering - 10 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release

Count XXIX: Bankruptcy Fraud - 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release

Counts XXX-XXXII, XXXV: Willful Failure to File Tax Return - 1 year imprisonment, $25,000 fine, and 1 year supervised release

Counts XXXIII-XXXIV, XXXVI-XXXVII: Income Tax Evasion - 5 years imprisonment, $100,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release

The investigation was conducted by a team of agents and auditors working with the U.S. Attorney's Guardians Project, including the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Interior, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service.

The charge, an indictment, information or complaint, is merely an accusation and all persons named as defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A pre-trial conference and a trial date will be set and the United States will be required to prove the allegations set forth in the indictment beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl E. Rostad.

The defendants are expected to enter a plea at their next court appearance.

This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/informational-federal-court-arraignments-17