MICHAEL W. RYAN FOUND GUILTY IN U.S. FEDERAL COURT

Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that on December 11, 2006, in Billings, after a 6-day federal district court trial before U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, MICHAEL W. RYAN, a resident of Billings, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, (14) counts of mail fraud, and (2) counts of wire fraud. Sentencing is set for March 15, 2007. RYAN is currently released on special conditions.

RYAN faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leif M. Johnson and Eric B. Wolff prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney's Office for the District of Montana

P.O. Box 1478
Billings, MT 59103

CONTACT

Kurt Alme
First Assistant U.S. Attorney
(406) 246-4669