FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marquette, Michigan – June 21, 2006 – United States Attorney Margaret M. Chiara announced that on June 20, 2006, after a two-day trial, a federal jury found Defendant Timothy Levi Smith, age 49, of Wilson, Michigan, guilty of abusive sexual contact. Smith was found to have engaged in sexual contact with a 10 to 11 year-old at his residence, located within the boundaries of the Hannahville Indian Community, between September and November of 2003. Smith faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment. Sentencing is scheduled for October 12, 2006.

United States Attorney Chiara commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hannahville Tribal Police Department, and the Michigan State Police for their work on the case. The case was prosecuted on behalf of the United States of America by Assistant United States Attorney Paul D. Lochner.