Poplar Men Make Not Guilty Pleas To Unrelated Federal Charges
Four individuals from Poplar made not guilty pleas in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston on Thursday, Oct. 13.
* Shane Daniel Freemont, 32, made not guilty pleas on charges of aggravated sexual abuse and sexual abuse.
If convicted of the most serious crime, Freemont faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release.
According to court documents, Freemont on or about Sept. 25, 2020, at or near Poplar, knowingly caused Jane Doe to engage in a sexual act by using force against Jane Doe. It is also charged that he knowingly engaged in a sexual act with Jane Doe when she was physically incapable of declining participation in and communicating unwillingness to engage in the sexual act.
Freemont was detained pending further proceedings. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Peck Law Enforcement and Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
* Thomas Ivan Reese Larson, 23, made not guilty pleas on the charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault resulting in substantial bodily injury and strangulation.
If convicted of the most serious crime, Larson faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Larson on Jan. 15, 2021, in Poplar intentionally assaulted Jane Doe, and the assault resulted in serious bodily injury.
Larson was released pending further proceedings. The FBI, Fort Peck Law Enforcement, RCSO and WPPD investigated the case.
* Connor Louis Gourneau, 34, of Poplar, made not guilty pleas on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
If convicted of the most serious crime, Gourneau faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release.
According to court documents, between December 2020 and July 2022 in Poplar, Gourneau knowingly and unlawfully possessed with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of meth and a substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.
Gourneau was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Fort Peck Law Enforcement investigated the case.
* Buddy Gene Walking Eagle, 38, made a not guilty plea on charges of felon in possession of firearm.
If convicted of the most serious crime, Walking Eagle faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, around May and June 2020 in Roosevelt County, Walking Eagle, knowing that he had been convicted in October 2004 of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year under the laws of the state of Colorado, possessed a firearm and ammunition.
Walking Eagle was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, RCSO and Fort Peck Law Enforcement investigated the case.
