COEUR D’ALENE – Carl Weatherwax, 24, of Lapwai, Idaho, a member of the Blackfeet Tribe, was sentenced today to 12 months plus one day in prison for assault resulting in serious bodily injury, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Weatherwax to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term, with the first year on home detention, and perform 80 hours of community service. He pleaded guilty to the charge on February 29, 2012.

According to the plea agreement, on July 21, 2011, Weatherwax entered a home on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation and assaulted a woman, also an Indian. According to court documents, Weatherwax hit, slapped, choked, and threw the victim against a wall; he shoved her out a door and she rolled down the steps, causing her knee to snap and pop. Weatherwax admitted that he pulled the victim to a standing position, began to push her in the direction of her home, and again shoved her to the ground. The woman suffered a dislocated knee cap, bruising on a bone, and a small fracture to a femur. She sustained contusions on her face, upper chest, back and arms. According to the plea agreement, the victim suffered extreme physical pain as a result of Weatherwax's assault.

“The U.S. Attorney's Office has a unique responsibility to protect public safety in Indian Country,” said Olson. “We are committed to working closely with tribal police departments and the FBI to ensure that individuals–like Mr. Weatherwax–who harm defenseless women are held accountable for their violent conduct.”

The case was investigated by the Nez Perce Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.