Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Missoula, on February 5, 2008, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, the following individuals were arraigned:

DANIEL DIETZ, a 37-year-old resident of Helena, appeared on charges of coercion and enticement and transfer of obscene material to a minor. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, DIETZ faces possible penalties of a mandatory 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to the life, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Helena Police Department.

SHAWN WAYNE MALATARE appeared on a charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, MALATARE faces possible penalties of a mandatory 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 fine and 5 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Van de Wetering is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Northwest Drug Task Force, and the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force.

The defendants pled not guilty to the charges.

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.