St. Michael Man Arrested on First-Degree Murder Charges
Fargo - U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that a St. Michael,
North Dakota, man has been arrested and charged with the May 2011 killings of
Destiny Jane Shaw and Travis Lee DuBois, Jr., on the Spirit Lake Reservation. Valentino James Bagola, 19, faces four counts of First-Degree Murder in
connection with the deaths of the two children.
In Bismarck, United States Attorney Purdon said, “The Indictment unsealed
today is the result of months of careful police work by the FBI and the BIA. This
investigation included the thorough examination of a great deal of forensic evidence
and law enforcement interviews of many, many individuals. The resources and effort
brought to bear on this investigation by the federal law enforcement agents and the
Assistant United States Attorneys who are involved should leave no doubt as to the
Department of Justice’s commitment to ensuring justice for child victims in Indian
country.”
The Indictment charges Bagola with:
Count One: The unlawful killing of Destiny Jane Shaw;
Count Two: The unlawful killing of Destiny Jane Shaw while perpetrating or
attempting to perpetrate the crimes of aggravated sexual abuse,
sexual abuse, and child abuse against Destiny Jane Shaw;
Count Three: The unlawful killing of Travis Lee DuBois, Jr.; and
Count Four: The unlawful killing of Travis Lee DuBois, Jr., while perpetrating
or attempting to perpetrate the crime of child abuse against Travis
Lee DuBois, Jr.
The Indictment alleges that Bagola killed the two children by “striking and
stabbing” them “numerous times.”
The maximum penalty for all charges is life imprisonment.
The charges contained in the Indictment are only allegations. A person is
presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable
doubt in a court of law.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Scott
Schneider, Janice Morley, and Chris Myers. The case is being investigated by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice
Services.
