BISMARCK - U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on August 30, 2012, Neil D. Houle, 29, of Belcourt, N.D., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland on charges of attempted aggravated sexual abuse and failure to update sex offender registration. Houle pleaded guilty to the charges on May 7, 2012.

Judge Hovland sentenced Houle to 20 years in federal prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release. Houle was ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund and to pay restitution of $294.

Houle entered a Belcourt area residence through a window in the early morning hours of August 11, 2011. Houle attempted to rape a juvenile, but the juvenile was able to flee from the residence. At the time of this offense, Houle failed to update his sex offender registration information, which was required for his state conviction for gross sexual imposition.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs - Turtle Mountain Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandi Sasse Russell prosecuted the case.

 

 

 

 

 

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