Skip to main content
Press Release

Two Defendants Sentenced For Unrelated Violent Crimes Against Women On The Red Lake Indian Reservation

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Minnesota

United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger today announced the sentencing of CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL STRONG, SR., 34, to 360 months in federal prison for a violent sexual assault committed on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. On December 19, 2014, following a three-day trial, a federal jury found STRONG guilty of aggravated sexual abuse. The defendant was sentenced on May 7, 2015 before Senior Judge Richard H. Kyle, Sr. in U.S. District Court in Duluth, Minn.

As proven at trial, in June of 2014, STRONG kidnapped and physically and sexually assaulted a female victim. Over a period of three days, STRONG brutally and repeatedly abused the victim. During the trial, photographs were entered into evidence that showed in graphic detail the permanent and life-threatening injuries the victim suffered.

In a second, unrelated case, QUENTIN LEE STRONG, 29, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for a shooting committed on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. STRONG, who was indicted on September 24, 2014, pleaded guilty on January 26, 2015 to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. The defendant was sentenced on May 11, 2015 before Chief Judge Michael J. Davis in U.S. District Court in Duluth, Minn.

According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, on the morning of August 19, 2014, STRONG was illegally in possession of a .22 caliber rifle, which he used outside of his house to fire multiple rounds in the direction of a female victim. One of the bullets hit the victim in her left knee.

“These are two examples of the extreme domestic violence that is present on the Red Lake Indian Reservation,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Clifford B. Wardlaw. “These lengthy sentences send a clear message that violent acts such as these will not be tolerated.”

Because the Red Lake Indian Reservation is a federal-jurisdiction reservation, some of the crimes that occur there are investigated by the FBI in conjunction with the Red Lake Tribal Police Department. Those cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Violence against American Indian women occurs at epidemic rates. In 2005, Congress found that one in three American Indian women is raped during her lifetime, and American Indian women are nearly three times more likely to be battered during their lives than Caucasian women.

The U.S. Justice Department is taking steps to increase engagement, coordination, and action relative to public safety in tribal communities, including the creation of the Violence Against Women Federal and Tribal Prosecution Task Force. This task force will explore current issues raised by professionals in the field and recommend “best practices” in prosecution strategies involving domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.

To learn more about the Justice Department’s Tribal Safety program, visit http://www.justice.gov/tribal/.

These cases resulted from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Red Lake Police Department.

These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clifford B. Wardlaw.


Defendant Information:

CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL STRONG, SR., 34
Red Lake, Minn.

Convicted:
• Aggravated Sexual Abuse, 1 count

Sentenced:
• 360 months in prison
• Five years supervised release

QUENTIN LEE STRONG, 29
Redby, Minn.

Convicted:
• Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, 1 count

Sentenced:
• 120 months in prison
• Three years supervised release

 


 

###

Updated May 15, 2015