John Russell Howald (Credit: Montana Department of Corrections) BILLINGS, Mont. - A federal grand jury has indicted a Montana man after he allegedly tried to injure a person, saying he wanted to "get rid of the lesbians [and] gays."The U.S.
Department of Justice said John Russell Howald, 44, of Basin, is charged with violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr.
Hate Crimes Prevention Act. In addition to a hate crime, he’s charged with a firearm violation.Investigators said on March 22, Howald allegedly fired into a person’s home because of the individual’s perceived sexual orientation.