Topic

Indian Country Crime

Coverage of criminal cases prosecuted under federal jurisdiction on tribal lands, including investigations by the FBI and other federal agencies, court proceedings in federal district courts, and the unique legal framework that governs law enforcement in Indian Country. This includes violent crimes, drug offenses, and other federal violations that occur on reservations and tribal trust lands.

Fort Belknap Agency Welcome Sign

Harlem Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault on Fort Belknap Indian Reservation

DNA evidence contradicted Ross Dale’s alibi in New Year’s Eve assault case; sentencing set for November

Modern Courthouse Exterior with American Flag

Lame Deer Woman, Billings Doctor Plead Guilty in Northern Cheyenne Sex Trafficking Case

Case adds to recent pattern of child exploitation prosecutions on Montana Indian reservations

Missouri River Courthouse Exterior

Browning Man Sentenced For Fatal 118 MPH Crash That Killed Motorcyclist On Sunday Bison Outing

Driver had six substances in system during crash on Blackfeet Indian Reservation

Missouri River Federal Courthouse, Great Falls, MT

From Game to Tragedy: How ‘Slap Boxing’ Turned Fatal on Fort Peck Reservation

Roger Bissonette III pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in a fatal attack that left one man dead

Missouri River Federal Courthouse, Great Falls, MT

Hays Man Gets 51 Months in Prison for Fatal Stabbing on Fort Belknap Reservation

Tonylee Andrew Sears pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the January 2024 death of a woman following an argument that escalated into violence

Missouri River Federal Courthouse, Great Falls, MT

Fort Belknap Indian Reservation School Employee Arraigned on Witness Tampering, Child Abuse Reporting Charges

Hays school employee faces up to 20 years in prison for allegedly intimidating witnesses and failing to report suspected abuse

Missouri River Federal Courthouse, Great Falls, MT

Box Elder Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse After Victim’s Family Allowed Him to Stay in Home

Peter Maxwell Houle, 35, faces up to 15 years in prison after admitting to sexual relationship with 15-year-old victim

Missouri River Federal Courthouse, Great Falls, MT

Box Elder man sentenced to over 5 years in prison for child sexual abuse

Brian Lee Bigbow pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact with a child

Missouri River Federal Courthouse, Great Falls, MT

Great Falls man sentenced to 31 months for strangulation and child abuse on Rocky Boy’s reservation

Lane Thomas Lamere pleaded guilty to assaulting woman and 3-year-old child in January 2024 incident

Missouri River Federal Courthouse, Great Falls, MT

Browning man sentenced to 30 months in prison for sexual abuse of minor

Delbert Dwayne Mowitch, 23, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting 12-year-old victim

Missouri River Federal Courthouse, Great Falls, MT

Heart Butte man sentenced to over 20 years for sexually abusing multiple children

Bradley Guardipee committed crimes while required to register as sex offender

A used and uncleaned meth pipe.

Pablo Residents Sentenced to 10 Years for Drug Trafficking on Flathead Reservation

Pair admits to distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl