Gene Kristy Guardipee Jr. Sentenced In U.S. District Court

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on January 9, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, GENE KRISTY GUARDIPEE, JR., a 35-year-old resident of Browning and an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe, appeared for sentencing. GUARDIPEE was sentenced to a term of:

• Prison: 87 months

• Special Assessment: $300.00

• Supervised Release: 5 years

GUARDIPEE was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to sexual abuse of a minor, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

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

GUARDIPEE met the victim when she was 9-years-old. The victim introduced herself to many within GUARDIPEE's family and, while GUARDIPEE was present, stated that she was 9-years-old.

Approximately three years later, the victim kissed GUARDIPEE. The victim was 12-years-old at the time. Then, on the victim's thirteenth birthday, GUARDIPEE had sex with her. The victim explained that she remembered the day because it was both her birthday and a special day for her. This relationship continued for the next year. The victim stated that she had sex with GUARDIPEE many times over a one-year period. All of the sex occurred in Browning, which is on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. During the sexual relationship, GUARDIPEE was 34 and 35-years-old.

The victim also disclosed that she sent naked pictures of herself to GUARDIPEE. A search warrant was subsequently obtained for GUARDIPEE's cell phone, which law enforcement found on GUARDIPEE when they arrested him. Pictures of the victim, and other minors, were found on GUARDIPEE's cell phone. These pictures were nude pictures, and many of them focused on the vaginal area of the minors. These pictures constituted and contained child pornography. All of the child pornography was received and saved on GUARDIPEE's phone. The photos had been received by GUARDIPEE between November of 2011 and March of 2012.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that GUARDIPEE will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, GUARDIPEE does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.