May 2, 2011
SOUTHERN UTE MAN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR ASSAULT WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON AND POSSESSION OF A SAWED-OFF SHOTGUN
DENVER – Henry Elkriver Whiteskunk, age 21, of Ignacio, Colorado, an Indian, was sentenced on April 27, 2011, by U.S. District Court Judge Philip A. Brimmer to serve 37 months in federal prison for assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a sawed-off shotgun, United States Attorney John Walsh announced. The assault took place within the exterior boundaries of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. Following his incarceration, Whiteskunk was ordered to serve 3 years on supervised release. The defendant appeared at the sentencing in custody, and was remanded following the hearing.
On August 24, 2010, Whiteskunk was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver. On December 17, 2010, Whiteskunk pled guilty. He was sentenced on April 27, 2011.
According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, on July 24, 2010, in the early morning hours, the defendant went to a home located within the exterior boundaries of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. He was carrying a Remington 870 model sawed-off shotgun at the time. Whiteskunk began cocking the shotgun and threatened to kill one of two occupants of the home. The two people in the house locked the doors and hid. They could hear the defendant attempt to open the door. They also heard him pump the shotgun and pull the trigger.
One of the two victims in the house called 911 and the Southern Ute Police Department and Ignacio Police Department responded shortly after. Once the officers were able to determine the location of the defendant, the officers ordered him at gun point to drop the shotgun. The defendant turned toward the officers with the shotgun still raised in the direction of the officers. He was again ordered to drop the weapon. Whiteskunk then threw the shotgun to the ground and ran from the scene. He was taken into custody in front of his residence after a short chase.
This case was investigated by the Southern Ute Police Department and the Ignacio Police Department.
The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Candelaria, Todd Norvell, and Dondi Osborne.
####
