Two Fremont County men charged with crimes in the U.S. District Court of Wyoming

(Cheyenne, Wyo.) - United States Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced that Leo Lone Bear III a.k.a. “Bronco” appeared in federal court on March 6, 2013, for a preliminary hearing and detention hearing. Mr. Lone Bear had been recently charged by criminal complaint with one count of abusive sexual contact, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2244(a)(5) and 1153, which carries a potential penalty of up to life imprisonment. At the March 6th hearings held in Lander, Lone Bear was represented by counsel, at which time he waived his preliminary hearing and was detained pending further proceedings. The allegations against Mr. Lone Bear will now be presented to the federal Grand Jury for their consideration.

Crofts also announced that on March 4, 2013, David M. Gehl, 26, of Fort Washakie, was charged with possessing an unregistered illegal firearm, that is, a weapon made from a shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches in length, in violation of Title 26, United States Code Sections 5841, 5845(a)(1) and (d), 5861(d), and 5871. These charges are punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment, a $10,000 fine or both.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation. In every criminal case, the accused is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty, and the government always has the burden of proving guilt at trial beyond a reasonable doubt.