Several local residents arraigned in federal court

Federal Magistrate Keith Strong took not guilty pleas, in separate cases, from five local residents in federal court in Great Falls this week.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana reported in a release Wednesday afternoon that Theodore Whitford Jr. of Box Elder, 27, pleaded not guilty on a charge of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Whitford is accused of assaulting another person while within the boundaries of Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, resulting in a fractured hip on the alleged victim.

Whitford is scheduled to go on trial in federal court in Great Falls before U.S. District Judge Sam. E. Haddon May 14 and is being held pending trial.

The investigation leading to the charge was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Rocky Boy's Police Department, and Hill County Sheriff's Office.

William Szudera of Havre, 76, pleaded not guilty to a charge of mail fraud. The government charged Szudera with reporting to the Department of Labor that he was not working while he operated a shooting sports business, which the government says allowed him to receive additional disability benefits.

Szudera is scheduled to go on trial before Judge Haddon April 23. He has been released on special conditions. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Blair Chiefstick of Box Elder, 22, pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated sexual abuse. Details of the charges were not available this morning. He is in custody awaiting a pretrial conference March 27.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Joscayne Denny of Box Elder, 33, pleaded not guilty to a charge of distribution of methamphetamine to a person under the age of 21. She is in jail awaiting a trial scheduled before Judge Haddon May 14.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

William Davis Jr. of Havre, 40, pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact. The government charged Davis with sexually assaulting two people younger than 12 in 2007 within the boundaries of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. He is in custody awaiting a pretrial conference by telephone with U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen in Missoula.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Belknap Tribe's Law Enforcement.