Poplar Man Confessed Triple Killing to Son Before Admitting Shootings to Deputies

POPLAR — A 73-year-old Poplar man told his adoptive son he had killed three people, then confessed the details to law enforcement officers, according to a federal criminal complaint filed last week.

Michael J. Ackerman, also known as Michael J. Littlebull, faces three counts of second-degree murder in connection with the Sept. 11 shootings at his residence on D Street East in Poplar. He appeared Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan in Great Falls Federal District Court and was ordered detained without bail.

The case began unfolding in the early morning hours of Sept. 14, when Yellowstone County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call at a Billings residence on Mullowney Lane, according to an FBI affidavit filed with the complaint.

There, they spoke with O.W., described as Ackerman’s adoptive son, who told deputies that Ackerman had admitted to killing three people identified in court documents as Jane Doe 1, John Doe and Jane Doe 2.

Deputies then contacted Ackerman inside the residence. After being read his Miranda rights, Ackerman waived those rights and agreed to speak with officers, the affidavit states.

According to FBI Special Agent Heidi Atchley’s affidavit, Ackerman told deputies that on Thursday, Sept. 11, he and the other occupants of his Poplar residence “had been using methamphetamine.” Ackerman said he believed the three victims were “setting him up.”

“Michael stated he was in the bedroom with Jane Doe 1, and Jane Doe 1 had a pistol in her hand,” the affidavit states. “Michael then picked up his Smith and Wesson 9 mm pistol and shot Jane Doe 1 twice in the head.”

After hearing movement from the next room, Ackerman told deputies he “walked into the room where John Doe and Jane Doe 2 were sleeping and shot them both,” according to the document.

Ackerman directed officers to his residence at 309 D Street East in Poplar, telling them “they would find the deceased inside,” the affidavit states.

Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Tyler Osborne relayed this information to Fort Peck Tribes Sergeant Jordan Clark, who responded with Officer Jace Johnson to the Poplar residence but was unable to make contact with anyone inside.

Officer Barnett obtained a telephonic search warrant through Fort Peck Tribal Court, and at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Sept. 14, tribal law enforcement entered the residence.

“Upon entering, they found the three deceased individuals mentioned by Michael Ackerman,” the affidavit states. “John Doe and Jane Doe 2’s bodies were located on the bed inside their bedroom, and Jane Doe 1’s was located next to the bed in her bedroom. All three of the bodies had apparent gunshot wounds.”

At 8:24 a.m., FBI agents and Fort Peck Law and Justice Department officers entered the residence to search for evidence. They recovered “several evidence items,” including “four 9-millimeter casings, which were located in close proximity to the deceased bodies,” according to the affidavit.

The case is being prosecuted federally because the alleged crimes occurred on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Each count of second-degree murder carries maximum penalties of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release.

Special Agent Atchley, who has been with the FBI since June 2022 and is assigned to investigating federal crimes on the Fort Peck Reservation, signed the affidavit supporting the complaint.

The criminal complaint was initially filed under seal on Sept. 15 before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston in Butte. Court records show the case was unsealed Tuesday following Ackerman’s initial appearance.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley is prosecuting the case. The investigation involved the FBI, Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice and the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office.

This marks the latest in a series of serious federal cases involving the Fort Peck Reservation. Earlier this week, Western Montana News reported on two 19-year-olds from Poplar who face potential life sentences after pleading guilty to sexual assault charges.

The complaint is merely an accusation and Ackerman is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The case is assigned PACER number 25-106.