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

SHANE MICHAEL HIPP, a resident of Browning, appeared on a charge of involuntary manslaughter. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of this charge, HIPP faces possible penalties of 6 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. Thaggard is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Montana Highway Patrol

SHAWN CHOY, of Guyana, appeared on charges of conspiracy to bring in aliens and illegal re-entry of alien. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, CHOY faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Horsman is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

DANIEL AMOS BRIDGES, a 31-year-old resident of Wolf Point, appeared on a charge of being a felon-in-possession of a firearm. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, BRIDGES faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Hosley is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation Division.

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.