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Archive for the tag “Overnighters”

19 May 2016

Convicted human trafficker Keith Graves has been moved to a federal penitentiary

Long-term housing for Mr. Graves. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

Long-term housing for Mr. Graves. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

The Bureau of Prisons inmate locator page reports that Keith A. Graves is now in custody at Victorville Medium II Federal Correctional Institution, located in Victorville, California.

Update 7-19-16: for future reference, his inmate number is 13523-059. His middle initial is A, for Alexander. Age 40 as of summer 2016.

I’m not quite sure I understand why he would be at a medium security prison. I obviously don’t understand these things, but seems to me that a drug distribution conviction and five trafficking convictions would land him in a higher security facility.

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02 May 2016

Expected release date for Keith Graves, star of The Overnighters documentary

Long term housing for Keith Graves. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Well-earned long term housing Keith Graves will occupy for a several decades. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

The Bureau of Prisons reports an expected release date of December 24, 2043 for Keith Graves (register number 13523-059).

If you have been following my blog, you recall Mr. Graves was convicted on five counts of human trafficking, one count of drug distribution, and one count of drug possession.

His well-earned sentence was 33 years, 9 months.

Mr. Graves was a key player in a documentary titled The Overnighters, which covered Williston and the oil boom in the Bakken. We now know that Mr. Graves conned the producer and the pastor featured in the documentary along with a large number of women whom he trafficked.

Accuracy of my calculation of his release date

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29 Feb 2016
2 Comments

More background on Keith Graves’ sentencing.

Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

The view from Mr. Graves’ residence for the next 33 years or so. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

As was mentioned earlier, on February 17th many women who had been trafficked in prostitution received justice when Keith Graves was sentenced to 33 years 9 months in federal prison.

Amy Dalrymple interviews several of the victims and explains After the trauma of sex trafficking, women struggle to cope. The emotional aftermath is severe. The trial was devastating for the witnesses, because Mr. Graves was able to cross-examine them in person since he was representing himself. Check out the article for a better description of the trauma involved.

Most of the sentencing documents are now available in the federal PACER system. Since those are public documents, I will post them as part of this discussion.  Feel free to read the following documents if you are really interested. Or really, really bored.

I will summarize and comment on the documents in case you don’t want to read them.

Sentencing

The sentence is 405 months for each of five counts of trafficking, with sentences to run concurrently and credit for time served. That is 33 years and nine months. Follow along with me for a few minutes and I’ll explain where the 405 number came from.

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Posted in Energy, Other stuff and tagged
24 Feb 2016
3 Comments

Keith Graves sentenced to 33 years 9 months

Long term housing for Keith Graves. Duration of residence yet to be determined. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Residence of Keith Graves for the next 33 years. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Sentencing was on February 17. Federal judge Daniel Hovland sentenced Keith Graves to 33 years 9 months in federal prison for five counts of human trafficking along with drug possession and distribution.

2/18 – Williston Herald – Man sentenced to 33 years for sex trafficking (online link not available) – Article says the feds asked for life. Judge ruled 33 years 9 months is the appropriate sentence. Article says he noted that is within federal sentencing guidelines.

Update: Viewable copy of above article:  Dickinson Press – ‘Despicable’ sex trafficker gets 33 years in prison

Prosecutors claimed in the hearing there were “dozens” of additional victims, none of whom could be located for the trial.  It looks like those victims were identified by review of the electronic devices confiscated from Mr. Graves. He denies those devices are his.

Mr. Graves says he will appeal the conviction. He also objected to several references to previous conviction (or convictions, not sure) for sexual offense.

I have not read the sentencing arguments filed by the US Probation Office. Last time I checked, the document was posted at the federal PACER system but not available to be read.

Sentencing guidelines

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Posted in Energy, Other stuff and tagged
11 Feb 2016

Update on Keith Graves sentencing – 2/11/16

Long term housing for Keith Graves. Duration of residence yet to be determined. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Long term housing for Keith Graves. Duration of residence to be determined on 2/17. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Now-convicted human trafficker Keith Graves is still scheduled for sentencing on Wednesday, February 17. That is the latest information visible on the federal PACER website.

A presentence investigation report was filed yesterday, 2/10, but is not available on the website. It is not noted as sealed. I don’t know the PACER system well enough to know what that means. Usually when something is posted it is available immediately.

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22 Jan 2016

Update on status of Keith Graves – 1/22/16

Long term housing for Keith Graves. Duration of residence yet to be determined. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Long term housing for human traffickers. Duration of residence for Keith Graves has yet to be determined. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Checked the docket in the federal PACER system again today for the now-convicted, felon, sex-trafficker Keith Graves.

No change since my last update on December 18. No new filings in district court. I can’t find any appeals in the 8th Circuit.

Sentencing is still set for February 17. That is just under four weeks away.

What’s noticeable by being absent is the sentencing recommendations from the federal Probation Office, opposition from Mr. Graves’ attorney, and rebuttal by US Attorney. At this point it sure seems to me there should be several filings regarding the recommended sentence. As of this morning, nothing has been filed regarding the sentence.

Posted in Energy and tagged | Leave a comment
28 Dec 2015

Minor followup on media discussion of Bakken

Actual productive effort in North Dakota. Photo by James Ulvog.

Actual productive effort in North Dakota. No spin here. Fuzzy photo by James Ulvog.

Two minor followups, first on the evening soap opera ‘Blood & Oil’ and then a documentary about Williston. Mentioned both of these previously.

In addition to getting the production run cut from 13 to 10 episodes, the drama “Blood & Oil” took a two-week vacation on the schedule during November. I was wondering if the show was even going to finish out the run of 10 episodes.

Well, according to Wikipedia the show finally made it through airing all of the reduced run. Ratings and share has stabilized in the basement with the number of viewers trending down.

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18 Dec 2015

Update on status of Keith Graves – 12/18/15

Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Just checked the docket for now-convicted human-trafficker Keith Graves on the federal PACER system. The only new item since my last update is a forfeiture order. I don’t see indications that he has filed an appeal.

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09 Nov 2015

Bakken update – Williston considers driving up housing prices. Heat caused 2 derailments in Montana.

Mancamp near Stanley. Photo by James Ulvog.

Mancamp near Stanley. Photo by James Ulvog.

City of Williston may likely vote this week to close all man camps within their jurisdiction. Dramatically reducing supply of housing will have the obvious impact of driving up prices. Keep in mind that is a choice of the local government.

Heat is what caused two derailments in Montana back in July. Not the oil that was on board.

Major construction work on Main street is finished.

11/6 – Amy Dalrymple at Dickinson Press – Oil backers push to keep crew camps as decision looms for Williston 

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03 Nov 2015

Wild guesses on possible sentence after Keith Graves is convicted – part 2

Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Now that Mr. Graves has been convicted on five counts of human trafficking plus possession and distribution of meth, I have started to think about what sentence he has rightfully earned and will be justly delivered to him in full.

Previous post discussed why I am paying such close attention to Mr. Graves’ case. Short answer is this expands my understanding of the federal legal system, extends my detailed discussion of the documentary The Overnighters, and overlaps my interest in the shale boom in North Dakota.

This discussion looks at the offense level and my wild guess on possible sentence. Previous post discussed the concept of criminal history level.

Offense level

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02 Nov 2015
1 Comment

Wild guesses on possible sentence after Keith Graves is convicted – part 1

Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Now that Mr. Graves has been convicted, I will start to think about what sentence he might earn.

Having noticed how closely I am following the case of now-convicted human trafficker Keith Graves you may wonder why I am paying such close attention to his case. After reading this post, you will be really curious.  (12-19-15 update) I hope this post explains my curiosity.

Why am I paying such close attention? Read more…

Posted in Other stuff and tagged
31 Oct 2015

More details from last day of Keith Graves’ trial

Image courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Image courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

After the string of tweets I mentioned yesterday, Andrew Sheeler filled us in on conviction day for Keith Graves: Jury convicts Graves on 8 counts.

The verdict

The difference between the 8 counts mentioned in the article and the 7 mentioned earlier is the forfeiture allegation.  The feds alleged that a toy bb gun, a miniature baseball bat, and an assortment of cell phones and computer tablets belonged to Mr. Graves. The allegation in the indictment could force a surrender of the items. Feds alleged he used all those items during the course of the crimes which the jury has now definitively determined he did in fact commit. Goal is to seize all the electronics he used in the commission of the crimes he was just convicted of.

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30 Oct 2015

Day 10 of Keith Graves’ trial. Guilty verdict on 7 counts. Acquittal on 4 counts.

Image courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Image courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Andrew Sheeler just sent out a string of tweets. Keith A Graves has been convicted on 7 felony counts and acquitted on 4 counts.

For more info, check out his twitter feed:  @andrewsheeler

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30 Oct 2015

Day 9 of Keith Graves’ trial. Jury in deliberation.

 

Jury Box in a court room. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Jury Box in a court room. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Andrew Sheeler reports in Bismarck Tribune: Jury remains undecided in Graves case.

Jury deliberated Thursday and will continue Friday.  Article says the jury asked for definition of two terms.

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28 Oct 2015

Day 8 of Keith Graves’ trial. Defense rests. Case goes to jury.

Jury Box in a court room. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Jury Box in a court room. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Andrew Sheeler reports in Bismarck Tribune: Jury to begin deliberations in Graves trial.

It would appear that Mr. Graves heeded the judge’s advice yesterday that if there were any more outbursts he would be removed from the court. He presented his defense today and argued for dismissal after he rested his case. Presumably he made his own closing argument.

From the article it sounds like it was a contentious day. Several witnesses shared their anger and frustration for having been called to testify. One witness threatened Mr. Graves suggesting it would be a very bad thing if they’re both on the same side of the fence, presumably assigned to the same jail at the same time.

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