BOX ELDER — Two Box Elder men pleaded not guilty Monday to federal charges including second-degree murder stemming from a July 29 incident on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation that prosecutors say was an armed robbery attempt gone deadly.
Levi Terrance Olson, 29, and Brandon Lee Weaselboy, 30, were arraigned in Great Falls Federal District Court on charges of conspiracy, attempted robbery, attempted aggravated burglary, second-degree murder, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, according to^1 U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John Johnston presided over the arraignment. Both defendants were detained pending further proceedings.
Conspiracy to Rob Residence
A federal indictment unsealed last week alleges Olson, Weaselboy, and a third defendant—Gordon George Denny Jr.—conspired to rob people of “U.S. currency and other items believed to be stored at a residence” within the Rocky Boy’s Reservation boundaries.
The indictment charges that Olson and Weaselboy “used firearms to threaten and assault multiple persons” during the attempted robbery near Box Elder in Hill County.
According to the charging document, the two men “knowingly entered and remained unlawfully in an occupied structure” on the reservation with the intent to commit robbery. During the incident, they were armed with weapons and “purposely and knowingly inflict[ed] bodily injury on another,” according to prosecutors.
Victim Still Unidentified
The indictment alleges Olson and Weaselboy “unlawfully and with malice aforethought, that is recklessly with extreme disregard for human life, killed John Doe.”
The victim remains publicly unidentified nearly four months after the incident.
The grand jury found that a firearm was discharged during the incident. Federal prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of firearms and ammunition used in the alleged offenses.
Potential Penalties
If convicted of second-degree murder, both defendants face life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release.
The firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life imprisonment, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
Additional charges include:
- Conspiracy: up to five years imprisonment
- Attempted robbery: up to 15 years imprisonment
- Attempted aggravated burglary: up to 40 years imprisonment
Third Defendant Status Unclear
Court records show Denny is charged in the conspiracy count but do not indicate whether he has been arrested or arraigned. His status in the case remains unclear.
Investigation and Prosecution
The FBI and Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services investigated the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal program that brings together law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The initiative has been involved in several recent prosecutions on Rocky Boy’s Reservation, including a firearm case against a Box Elder man sentenced in September.
The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.