BISMARCK - U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Oct. 30, 2012, Thomas Blackhawk, 34, of Bismarck, N.D., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to a charge of child abuse in Indian country.

On Feb. 3, 2012, Blackhawk and a child were staying at Prairie Knights Casino. Blackhawk willfully inflicted bodily injury on the child by hitting and kicking the child, which caused bruising to the child.

The charge of child abuse in Indian country carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $5,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Burleigh County Social Services.

Sentencing for Blackhawk has been scheduled for Feb. 19, 2013, in U.S. District Court in Bismarck, N.D., at 2:00 p.m.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Delorme is prosecuting the case.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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