BISMARCK - U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Jan. 23, 2012, Frank Patnaude, 23, Belcourt, N.D., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to a charge of burglary. On Dec. 19, 2011, co-defendant Brandin Decoteau, 23, of Bismarck, N.D., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to a charge of burglary and possession of a stolen firearm.

On April 14, 2010, Patnaude provided his vehicle to Decoteau to aid in the burglary of a home in the Belcourt area. Decoteau entered the home by kicking in the door, and Decoteau took a rifle. Decoteau later sold the rifle to another person, who turned it into law enforcement officials upon learning the rifle was stolen.

The charge of burglary carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of possession of a stolen firearm carries a statutory maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Bureau of Indian Affairs - Turtle Mountain Agency.

Sentencing for Patnaude has been scheduled for April 16, 2012, in U.S. District Court in Bismarck, N.D., at 11:00 a.m.

Sentencing for Decoteau has been scheduled for Feb. 27, 2012, in U.S. District Court in Minot, N.D., at 11:00 a.m.

Assistant United States Attorney Brandi Sasse Russell is prosecuting the case.

 

 

 

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