The U.S. Attorney’s Office has recently made an announcement regarding federal court arraignments. This week, several individuals appeared before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments or criminal complaints. The charging documents are accusations, and it’s important to remember that the defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The charges range from drug distribution to possession of firearms, child pornography, and improper entry by aliens. The severity of the crimes carries hefty penalties, including substantial prison time, fines, and supervised release. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, DEA, and Border Patrol, have conducted thorough investigations into these cases. This article provides an overview of the arraignments and highlights the potential consequences these individuals may face if convicted.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Federal Court Arraignments
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Montana has recently announced several federal court arraignments. These arraignments took place in various cities across the state, including Billings, Missoula, and Great Falls. The individuals involved have been charged with various offenses, and the court will determine their guilt or innocence. It is important to note that these individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Billings Arraignments
In Billings, four individuals appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan on November 2, 2023, to enter their pleas. The individuals are Nicholas David Decker, Armondo Anthony Ronquillo, Billy Joe Chavez, and Joshua David Heafner.
Nicholas David Decker
Nicholas David Decker, aged 33 and from Billings, is facing charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances, as well as possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Decker could face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine, and at least four years of supervised release. Decker is currently detained pending further proceedings. The investigation into his case was conducted by the FBI.
Armondo Anthony Ronquillo
Armondo Anthony Ronquillo, aged 37 and from Billings, is charged with being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted, Ronquillo could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Ronquillo is currently detained pending further proceedings. The Billings Police Department, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated Ronquillo’s case.
Billy Joe Chavez
Billy Joe Chavez, aged 40 and from Billings, is facing charges of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted, Chavez could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Chavez is currently detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation into his case.
Joshua David Heafner
Joshua David Heafner, aged 39 and from Billings, has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, Heafner could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Heafner is currently detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Billings Police Department conducted the investigation into his case.
Missoula Arraignments
In Missoula, several individuals appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto on October 31 and November 1, 2023, to enter their pleas. The individuals are Nicholas Geoffrey Combs, Efren Zanabriga Zuniga, Caleb Gerard Diamond, and Bryan Michael Balog.
Nicholas Geoffrey Combs
Nicholas Geoffrey Combs, aged 28 and from Portland, Oregon, is facing charges of distribution, receipt, and transportation of child pornography. If convicted of the most serious crime, Combs could face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life of supervised release. Combs is currently detained pending further proceedings. The Missoula Police Department investigated his case.
Efren Zanabriga Zuniga
Efren Zanabriga Zuniga, aged 35 and from Oaxaca, Mexico, is charged with production, transportation, and receipt of child pornography. If convicted, Zuniga could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life of supervised release. Zuniga is currently detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Missoula Police Department.
Caleb Gerard Diamond
Caleb Gerard Diamond, aged 24 and from Missoula, is facing charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, Diamond could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Diamond is currently detained pending further proceedings. The Missoula Police Department, Montana Probation and Parole, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated his case.
Bryan Michael Balog
Bryan Michael Balog, aged 30 and from Missoula, has been charged with receipt and possession of child pornography. If convicted, Balog could face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life of supervised release. Balog is currently detained pending further proceedings. The Missoula Police Department and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated his case.
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Great Falls Arraignments
In Great Falls, several individuals appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston on October 31, 2023, for their initial appearances. The individuals are Frank Espinoza, Fatima Brito, Diana Ruiz-Gomez, Emilio Fernando Dominguez-Martinez, Fredy Hernandez-Morales, and Viridiana Macias-Espinosa.
Frank Espinoza
Frank Espinoza, aged 32 and from Venezuela, is charged with improper entry by an alien. If convicted, Espinoza could face a maximum sentence of six months in prison, a $100,000 fine, and one year of supervised release. Espinoza is currently detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Border Patrol.
Fatima Brito
Fatima Brito, aged 29 and from Venezuela, is also facing charges of improper entry by an alien. If convicted, Brito could face a maximum sentence of six months in prison, a $100,000 fine, and one year of supervised release. Brito is currently detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Border Patrol.
Diana Ruiz-Gomez
Diana Ruiz-Gomez, aged 26 and from Mexico, has been charged with improper entry by an alien. If convicted, Ruiz-Gomez could face a maximum sentence of six months in prison, a $100,000 fine, and one year of supervised release. Ruiz-Gomez is currently detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Border Patrol.
Emilio Fernando Dominguez-Martinez
Emilio Fernando Dominguez-Martinez, aged 24 and from Mexico, is facing charges of improper entry by an alien. If convicted, Dominguez-Martinez could face a maximum sentence of six months in prison, a $100,000 fine, and one year of supervised release. Dominguez-Martinez is currently detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Border Patrol.
Fredy Hernandez-Morales
Fredy Hernandez-Morales, aged 28 and from Mexico, is also charged with improper entry by an alien. If convicted, Hernandez-Morales could face a maximum sentence of six months in prison, a $100,000 fine, and one year of supervised release. Hernandez-Morales is currently detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Border Patrol.
Viridiana Macias-Espinosa
Viridiana Macias-Espinosa, aged 38 and from Mexico, is also facing charges of improper entry by an alien. If convicted, Macias-Espinosa could face a maximum sentence of six months in prison, a $100,000 fine, and one year of supervised release. Macias-Espinosa is currently detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Border Patrol.
The progress of these cases can be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. The public can establish a PACER account to access and review documents filed in these cases. Additionally, the District Court’s calendar is available for reference.
It is important to remember that the defendants in these cases are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges brought against them are accusations, and it is up to the court to determine their guilt or innocence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to diligently prosecute these cases, ensuring justice is served. For any further information or inquiries, please contact Clair J. Howard, the Public Affairs Officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Montana.
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