Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings on March 26, 2009, before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, RONALD ALLEN MULLENBERG, a 50-year-old resident of Lodge Grass, pled guilty to two counts of abusive sexual contact. Sentencing is set for June 25, 2009. He is currently released on special conditions.

In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On September 12, 2005, W.B. disclosed to a doctor at Indian Health Services that she had been touched in a sexual manner by MULLENBERG. W.B. stated that MULLENBERG always came into her room and touched her when her mother was gone. MULLENBERG would put his hand over her mouth, touch her chest underneath her clothing, and put his hand on her "private area," referring to her vaginal area, and "rub it really hard" until later it would hurt to go the bathroom. Initially, the touching started on the outside of her clothing, but then progressed to underneath her clothing. The victim stated the sexual contact took place approximately five times during the summer of 2002.

Law enforcement also interviewed W.B.'s older sister, K.B. K.B. told the agents that between the ages of six and seven she was also sexually abused at least ten times by MULLENBERG. Each time MULLENBERG would remove her pants and insert his finger into her vagina, causing her pain.

The girls' mother was also interviewed. The mother stated that MULLENBERG was a friend of the family and had unsupervised contact with both girls frequently. She remembered one incident when she walked into W.B.'s bedroom and surprised MULLENBERG. He had his hand on W.B.'s crotch. He quickly pulled his hand away and left.

MULLENBERG was interviewed on November 30, 2007. He admitted to touching both victims on their buttocks and vaginal areas, outside of their clothing, when he was intoxicated. He further stated that he had sexual contact with each of the girls two or three times, and knew his actions were wrong.

MULLENBERG faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 5 years supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

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

 

 

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