The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls on July 7, 2010, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, BRYCE HAMILTON NEWBREAST, a 21-year-old resident of Browning, pled guilty to sexual abuse. Sentencing has been set for October 18, 2010. He is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vince Carroll, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

In July of 2008, the FBI received information that NEWBREAST had sexually abused his 6-year-old niece sometime in June or July 2008. NEWBREAST's niece (the victim) was interviewed on July 31, 2008, and indicated that NEWBREAST had touched her "front" and "back" parts. The victim was then taken to the hospital in Browning where she was physically examined on August 1, 2008. No physical evidence of abuse was found.

NEWBREAST was eventually located and interviewed on May 12, 2009, and initially denied the allegation. On October 29, 2009, NEWBREAST was again interviewed and admitted to touching the victim's vagina with his hand on one occasion. The residence where this incident took place is located in Browning, within the exterior boundaries of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

NEWBREAST faces possible penalties of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least 5 years supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.

 

 

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