Tribal Justice News - June, 15, 2011

Mississippi Man Sentenced for Burglary (U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi)

U.S. Attorney John M. Dowdy Jr. announced on June 7, 2011, that Keith Anthony Collins, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William H. Barbour Jr., to 36 months in prison and three years of supervised release for house burglary within the boundaries of the Tribal Lands of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mss/press/June2011/COLLINS%20sentencing.pdf

Former Tribal Employee Charged with Theft of Federal Funds (U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin)

U.S. Attorney James L. Santelle announced on June 7, 2011, that a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging, a former employee of the Sokaogon Chippewa Tribe and current employee of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Dori F. McGeshick, 44, with theft from a federal program. McGeshick faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/wie/press_releases/2011/pr20110608_Theft_of_Federal_Funds_from_Indian_Tribe.pdf

Man Charged with Misprision of a Felony (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)

U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced on June 9, 2011, during a federal court session before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, that Ronald Dean Rides Horse, 37, has been charged with misprision of a felony. If convicted, Rides Horse faces up to three years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. The defendant pleaded not guilty and a court date has not yet been set.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

Member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian Convicted of Fatal Shooting on Reservation (U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina)

U.S. Attorney Anne M. Tompkins announced on June 9, 2011, that a federal jury convicted James Ernest Lespier, 33, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, of fatally shooting Erien A. Smith on May 18, 2010. Lespier faces the maximum penalty of life in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/ncw/press/lespier.html

South Dakota Woman Sentenced for Destroying Document (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced on June 13, 2011, that during a federal court session before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann, Shirley White Buffalo, 64, of McLaughlin S.D., was sentenced in connection with her guilty plea to concealing and destroying a material document. Buffalo was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim's Assistance Fund.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/news.html

New Mexico Man Pleads Guilty to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced on June 13, 2011, during a federal court session in Albuquerque, N.M., that Lukacema Gillie Yazzie, a 24-year-old enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Yazzie will be sentenced to 18 months in prison to be followed by not more than five years of supervised release.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/2011/2011-06-13_yazzie_pr.pdf

South Dakota Man Sentenced in Methamphetamine Conspiracy (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced on June 13, 2011, that Jeffery Freking, 60, of Heron Lake, Minn., was sentenced to 87 months in prison and four years of supervised release by Chief U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier. Freking was sentenced in connection with his Dec. 2, 2010, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. He was also ordered to forfeit $100,000.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/SF-2011-06-13-Freking.html

New Mexico Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzalez announced on June 13, 2011, during a federal court session in Albuquerque, N.M., that Benjamin Natonabah, a 41-year-old enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a female who was incapable of understanding the nature of the sexual conduct. Natonabah was charged with sexually abusing a female student at the Tohatchi High School in Tohatchi, N.M., when he was employed as a custodian at the school. Natonabah will be sentenced to 30 months in prison and a minimum of five years supervised release. Natonabah will also be required to register as a sex offender upon completion of his prison sentence.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/2011/2011-06-13_natonabah_pr.pdf

Montana Man Makes Initial Appearance for Attempted Robbery Charge (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)

U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced, on June 13, 2011, during a federal court session in Billings, Mont., that Donald Charles Rapos, 52, made an initial appearance on a complaint alleging attempted robbery. If convicted, Rapos faces up to 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

North Dakota Man Sentenced for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced on June 13, 2011, that Kevin J. Lafontaine, 35, of Belcourt, N.D., was sentenced in a federal court session before U.S. District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland in connection to his March 21, 2011, guilty plea to three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. Lafontaine was sentenced to two years in federal prison and two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $300 special assessment to the Crime Victim's Fund.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nd/pressreleases/2011/06-13-2011-Lafontaine%20Sentenced.pdf

Man Charged with Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)

U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced on June 13, 2011, during a federal court session before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, that Cody L. Big Hair, 20, has been charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted, Big Hair faces maximum penalties of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A court date has not yet been set.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

New Mexico Man Sentenced for Assault (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzalez announced on June 14, 2011, during a federal court session in Albuquerque, N.M., that Kinslen Smith, 45, of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/index.html

Montana Men Charged with Illegally Trafficking in Eagle and Migratory Bird Remains (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)

U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced on June 14, 2011, that William E. Hugs Sr., 51, William E. Hugs Jr., 22, and Ernie L. Stewart, 33, have been charged with illegally trafficking in eagle and migratory birds remains. Hugs Sr., is charged with conspiracy to traffic in eagles and migratory birds, unlawfully trafficking in migratory birds and four counts of unlawfully trafficking in eagles in and around the Crow Indian Reservation. Hugs Jr., is charged with conspiracy to traffic in eagles and migratory birds, two counts of unlawfully trafficking in migratory birds and two counts of unlawfully trafficking in eagles in and around the Crow Indian Reservation. Stewart is charged with unlawfully trafficking in eagles and migratory birds in and around the Crow Indian Reservation. A court date has not yet been set.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

Wyoming Man Indicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming)

U.S. Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced on June 15, 2011, that Norman James Bitsie of the Wind River Reservation, an enrolled Northern Arapaho tribal member, was indicted for one count of aggravated sexual abuse and four counts of sexual abuse, all involving a minor victim. The most serious count carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/wy/news/news.html

Two Wyoming Men Indicted for Burglary, Robbery and Using a Firearm in a Crime of Violence (U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming)

U.S. Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced on June 15, 2011, that Zachary Humphrey and Blaine Clutter of Riverton, Wyo., appeared in federal court after having been indicted for aggravated burglary and aiding and abetting, robbery and aiding and abetting, and two counts of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a federal crime of violence. Aggravated burglary and aiding and abetting carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a fine up to $50,000. Robbery and aiding and abetting carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/wy/news/news.html

Wyoming Man Indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming)

U.S. Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced on June 15, 2011, that Jeffery Underwood of the Wind River Reservation was indicted for assault resulting in serious bodily injury. This count carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The trial date has been set for Aug. 1, 2011, in Cheyenne, Wyo., before Chief Judge Nancy Freudenthal.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/wy/news/news.html

Wyoming Man Indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming)

U.S Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced on June 15, 2011, that Vincent Redman III, of the Wind River Reservation was indicted for one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon. Each count carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The trial date has been set for July 25, 2011, in Casper, Wyo., before Judge William F. Downes.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/wy/news/news.html

Montana Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Burglary and Burglary (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)

U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, Mont., on June 14, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, Marcus Gerald Fast Horse, 20, of Poplar, Mont., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and burglary. Fast Horse faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Sentencing has been set for Oct. 17, 2011.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html