TRIBAL JUSTICE NEWS
WEEK OF MARCH 23, 2011

Texas Man Sentenced for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on March 14, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange, Bobby Wayne Thomas, a resident of Jewett, Texas, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, two years of supervised release and a $100 victim assessment. Thomas was sentenced in connection with his conviction of assault with a dangerous weapon.

http://minneapolis.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel11/mp031511.htm

South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on March 15, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange, Nelson Miles Red Bird, a 21-year-old resident of Eagle Butte, S.D., pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Red Bird faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. Red Bird’s sentencing has been scheduled for June 6, 2011.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/Pierre-2011-03-15-Red%20Bird.html

Montana Man Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)
U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, Mont., on March 9, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy, Steven Roger Augare, a 51-year-old resident of Browning, Mont., pleaded guilty to making false statements that obstruct public oversight of water supplies for the Blackfeet Tribe. Augare’s sentencing has been scheduled for June 22, 2011.

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

Minnesota Woman Indicted for Accessory to Murder (U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota)
U.S. Attorney B. Todd Jones announced that during a federal court session, on March 8, 2011, Jerilee Jane Head, a 21-year-old resident of Red Lake Indian Reservation, Minn., was indicted for accessory after the fact of murder. If convicted, Head faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

http://minneapolis.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel11/mp031611.htm

Montana Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual Contact with a Minor (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)
U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced that during a federal court session in Billings, Mont., on March 17, 2011, before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, Robert Timothy Swank Sr., a 52-year-old resident of Crow Agency, Mont., was sentenced to 151 months in prison, a $100 Special Assessment and 10 years of supervised release. Swank was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea of abusive sexual contact with a minor.

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

Idaho Man Indicted for Grand Theft (U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho)
U.S. Attorney B. Wendy J. Olson announced that during a federal court session, on March 8, 2011, Michael Charles Taylor, a 39-year-old member of the Nez Perce Tribe, was indicted for grand theft. If convicted, Head faces a maximum of 14 years in prison, a $5,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Taylor’s sentencing has been scheduled for May 17, 2011.

http://saltlakecity.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel11/slc031711.htm

South Dakota Man Sentenced for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on March 11, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange, Morris William Eagle Bull Jr., a 23-year-old resident of Box Elder, S.D., was sentenced to 33 months in prison, three years of supervised release, $200 in restitution and $100 to the Victim’s Assistance Fund. Eagle Bull was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/RC-2011-03-11-Eagle%20Bull.html

New Mexico Man Indicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)
U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced that during a federal court session in Albuquerque, N.M., on March 15, 2011, before District Judge M. Christina Armijo, Sebastiano Coho, a 20-year-old member of the Navajo Nation, was indicted for two counts of aggravated sexual abuse. If convicted, Coho faces up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release.

http://www.fbi.gov/albuquerque/press-releases/2011/navajo-man-arraigned-on-federal-rape-charges

New Mexico Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)
U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced that during a federal court session in Albuquerque, N.M., on March 16, 2011, Alton Jay Cowboy, a 41-year-old member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced to two years in prison, five years of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender. Cowboy was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea for failure to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/2011/2011-03-17_cowboy_pr.pdf

Washington Man Sentenced for Assault Resulting in Serious Injury (U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington)
U.S. Attorney Michael C. Ormsby announced that during a federal court session in Yakima, Wash., on March 17, 2011, Johnathon Frank, a 21-year-old member of the Yakima Nation, was sentenced for assault resulting in serious injury. Frank was sentenced to 70 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/wae/news/2011/2011_03_17_Frank_Sentence.html

South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on March 17, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, Cole Brewer, a 19-year-old resident of Pine Ridge, S.D., pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Brewer faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Brewer’s sentencing has been scheduled for June 6, 2011.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/RC-2011-03-17-Brewer.html

South Dakota Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement and Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on March 17, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, Latonna Lynn Weasel Bear, a 38-year-old resident of Pine Ridge, S.D., pleaded guilty to embezzlement and theft from an Indian tribal organization. Weasel Bear faces up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Weasel Bear’s sentencing has been scheduled for June 6, 2011.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/RC-2011-03-17-Weasel%20Bear.html

Colorado Man Sentenced for Aggravated Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado)
U.S. Attorney John F. Walsh announced that during a federal court session on March 17, 2011, before Senior U.S. District Court Judge James A. Parker, Adam Frost, a 30-year-old member of the Southern Ute Tribe, was sentenced to 16 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release. Frost was sentenced in connection with his conviction for aggravated sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/co/press_releases/2011/March2011/3_18b_10.html

Iowa Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa)
U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Rose announced that during a federal court session on March 18, 2011, before U.S. District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett, Cynthia Koons, a 50-year-old resident of Esterville, Iowa, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Cherokee County, Iowa. Koon faces a maximum of life in prison, a special assessment of $100 and a maximum of life of supervised release.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/ian/press/March_index.html

New Mexico Man Sentenced for Assault (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)
U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced that during a federal court session in Albuquerque, N.M., on March 18, 2011, William Skeet, a 20-year-old member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced to 22 months in prison, three years of supervised release, $1,927.20 in restitution to the victim of his assault and $361.15 to Rehobeth McKinley Christian Health Care in Gallup, N.M. Skeet was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea for assault.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/2011/2011-03-18_skeet_pr.pdf

Michigan Man Sentenced for Domestic Assault (U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan)
U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced that during a federal court session, on March 18, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Ludington, Devin Pope, a 26-year-old member of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, was sentenced to 44 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Pope was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea for domestic assault.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mie/index.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 that during a federal court session in Bismarck, N.D., on March 21, 2011, before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Daniel L. Hovland, Frank Marshall, a 21-year-old resident of Fort Yates, N.D., was sentenced to two years and 11 months in prison, three years of supervised release, restitution of $4,757.31 and a special assessment of $100 to the Crime Victim’s Fund. Marshall was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea for assault with a dangerous weapon.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nd/pressreleases/2011/3-21-2011-Frank-Marshall%20Sentenced.pdf

South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on March 18, 2011, before Chief U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier, Hermis Earl Janis Jr., a 29-year-old resident of Manderson, S.D., pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Earl Janis faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Earl Janis’ sentencing has been scheduled for June 3, 2011.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/RC-2011-03-18-Janis.html

Montana Woman Indicted for Conspiracy to Convert Tribal Credit Program Proceeds by Federal Employees (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 March 21, 2011, before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, Florence A. White Eagle, a 63-year-old resident of Poplar, Mont., has been indicted for conspiracy to convert tribal credit program proceeds by federal employees; theft and conversion from an Indian tribal organization; concealment of public corruption; public acts affecting a personal financial interest; bribery; and misprision of a felony.

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

North Dakota Woman Sentenced for Arson (U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that during a federal court session in Bismarck, N.D., on March 21, 2011, before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Daniel L. Hovland, Rebecca A. Marshall, a 32-year-old resident of Fort Yates, S.D., was sentenced to 18 months in prison, three years of supervised release, restitution of $69,652.62 and a special assessment of $100 to the Crime Victim’s Fund. Marshall was sentenced in connection with her guilty plea for arson.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nd/pressreleases/2011/3-21-2011-Rebecca-Marshall%20Sentence.pdf

Idaho Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho)
U.S. Attorney B. Wendy J. Olson announced that during a federal court session, on March 21, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge, Daniel Bisher, a 36-year-old member of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, was sentenced to 168 months in prison, five years of supervised release, forfeit two firearms in his possession and 100 hours of community service. Bisher was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distributing methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/id/news/2011/mar/bisher03212011.html

Idaho Man Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho)
U.S. Attorney B. Wendy J. Olson announced that during a federal court session, on March 21, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge, Christopher Clay Gober, a 32-year-old member of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, was sentenced to 84 months in prison, three years of supervised release and 100 hours of community service. Gober was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea for unlawful possession of a firearm.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/id/news/2011/mar/gober03212011.html