TRIBAL JUSTICE NEWS
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 09, 2011

New Mexico Man Sentenced for Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)
U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced that during a federal court session in Albuquerque, N.M., on Feb. 1, 2011, before U.S. District Judge James O. Browning, Irvin Bitsilly, a 73-year-old member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced to five years in prison and five years of supervised release based on his conviction for sexual abuse of a minor. Bitsilly is also required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

http://albuquerque.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel11/aq020111.htm

Minnesota Woman Indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota)
U.S. Attorney B. Todd Jones announced that a federal indictment unsealed on Feb. 1, 2011, in St. Paul, Minn., alleges that, a 43-year-old woman, Teresa Lynn Hill, stabbed a man on Aug. 28, 2010, while on the Bois Forte Indian Reservation. The indictment charges Hill with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted, Hill faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each charge. Hill’s court date has not yet been scheduled.

http://minneapolis.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel11/mp020111.htm

North Dakota Man Sentenced for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on Jan. 24, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange, Vincent Kills Plenty Jr., a 30-year-old resident of Bismarck, N.D., was charged with simple assault and assault by striking, beating and wounding. The simple assault charge relates to Kills Plenty assaulting another person in Parmelee, S.D. Plenty was sentenced to six months in prison on each count, to be served consecutively, and a special assessment of $10 to the Victims’ Assistance Fund on each of the two counts.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/Pierre-2011-02-02-Plenty.html

South Dakota Man Charged for First Degree Burglary (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on Jan. 25, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange, Justin Gabriel, a 19-year-old resident of Rosebud, S.D., pleaded guilty to first degree burglary. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 25 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment to the victims’ assistance fund. Gabriel’s sentencing trial has yet to be scheduled.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/Pierre-2011-02-02-Gabriel.html

South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on Jan. 25, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange, Floyd Black Spotted Horse, a 43-year-old resident of Rosebud, S.D., pleaded guilty to the charge of sexual abuse. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Black Spotted Horse’s sentencing has yet to be scheduled.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/Pierre-2011-02-02-Horse.html

New Mexico Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)
U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced that during a federal court session in Albuquerque, N.M., on Feb. 3, 2011, before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard L. Puglisi, Sterling Clyde, a 30-year-old member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual abuse. Clyde faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a minimum of five years of supervised release. Clyde will also be required to register as a sex offender. Clyde’s sentencing trial has yet to be scheduled.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/2011/2011-02-03_clyde_plea_pr.pdf

New Mexico Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault of a Minor (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)
U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced that during a federal court session in Albuquerque, N.M., on Feb. 3, 2011, before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard L. Puglisi, Raymond Joseph Martin, a 62-year-old member of the Pueblo of Laguna, pleaded guilty to knowingly engaging in sexual contact with a female child who had not attained the age of twelve. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Martin will receive a sentence of 97-months in prison and five-years of supervised release. Martin also will be required to register as a sex offender.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/2011/2011-02-03_martin_plea_pr.pdf

South Dakota Man Charged for Tampering with Evidence (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on Feb. 2, 2011, Robert Medearis, a 61-year-old resident of Mission, S.D., was convicted of tampering with evidence following a federal jury trial in Pierre, S.D. Medearis faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment to the Victims’ Assistance Fund.

http://minneapolis.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel11/mp020311a.htm

Wyoming Man Sentenced for Aggravated Child Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming)
U.S. Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced that during a federal court session on Feb. 2, 2011, before Chief U.S. District Court Judge William F. Downes, Deloren Dennis Tillman, a 36-year-old member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, was sentenced for aggravated child sexual abuse. Tillman was sentenced to 300 months in prison to run consecutively to the sentence he is currently serving for a gun assault charge. Tillman was sentenced to pay a $3,000 fine, a $100 special assessment and five years of supervised release.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/wy/pressrel/index.html

New Mexico Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)
U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced that during a federal court session in Albuquerque, N.M., on Feb. 3, 2011, before U.S. District Judge James O. Browning, Nelson Mitchell Jr., a 36-year-old member of the Navajo Nation, was convicted for failing to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Mitchell was sentenced to 18-months in prison and five years of supervised released. Mitchell also is required to register as a sex offender.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/2011/2011-02-04_mitchell_sentence_pr.pdf

Canadian Man Sentenced for Bringing Illegal Aliens in to the United States (U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York)
U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced that during a federal court session in Syracuse, N.Y., on Feb. 3, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby, Carl G. Thompson, a 44-year-old resident of Ontario, Canada, was sentenced to three years in prison and three years of supervised release. Thompson was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea in smuggling commercial aliens on the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nyw/press/index.html

North Dakota Man Convicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child (U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that during a federal court session in Minot, N.D., on Feb. 3, 2011, before U.S. District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland, John F. Wallette, a 35-year-old resident of Belcourt, N.D., was convicted by a federal jury on a charge of aggravated sexual abuse of a child. Wallette faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Wallette’s sentencing has been scheduled for April 25, 2011.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nd/pressreleases/2011/02-03-2011-Wallette%20Verdict.pdf

South Dakota Man Indicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Abusive Sexual Contact (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on Jan. 24, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy, Isaac Caldwell, a 34-year-old resident of Mission, S.D., was indicted for aggravated sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact. Caldwell faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine for aggravated sexual abuse; and a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for abusive sexual contact. Caldwell’s trial date has yet to be scheduled.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/RC-2011-02-03-Caldwell.html

South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Bribery Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on Jan. 25, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange, Edward Rhea Washburn, a 59-year-old resident of Dupree, S.D., pleaded guilty to bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Washburn faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release and a $100 assessment to the victims' assistance fund. Restitution may also be ordered. Washburn’s sentencing is scheduled for April 11, 2011.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/Pierre-2011-02-03-Washburn.html

South Dakota Man Indicted for Assault with Intent to Commit Murder (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on Jan. 19, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes, Boyd William White Twin, age 27, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and child abuse. If convicted White Twin faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 Special Assessment to the Victims’ Assistance Fund. Restitution may also be ordered. White Twin’s trial date has been scheduled for March 29, 2011.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/Pierre-2011-02-03-Twin.html

South Dakota Man Sentenced for Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on Jan. 14, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, Kevin Lloyd Bull Bear, age 46, was sentenced to 36 months in prison, five years of supervised release and ordered to pay $100 to the Victims' Assistance Fund. Bull Bear was sentenced in connection to his guilty plea of sexual abuse.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/RC-2011-02-07-BullBear.html

South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on Jan. 21, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier, Charles Dean Anaya, pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact. Anaya faces the maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Anaya’s sentencing date has been scheduled for May 6, 2011.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/RC-2011-02-07-Anaya.html

South Dakota Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual Contact of a Minor (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on Jan. 21, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Richard H. Battey, Raymond Anthony Clifford, a 50-year-old resident of Pine Ridge, S.D., was sentenced to 120 months in prison and supervised release for the term of his natural life. Clifford was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea of abusive sexual contact of a child and aggravated sexual abuse of a child.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/RC-2011-02-07-Clifford.html

South Dakota Man Indicted for Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on Jan. 27, 2011, before U.S Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno, Gary Gunhammer, age 52, pleaded not guilty to the indictment for sexually abusing a female. If convicted Gunhammer faces a maximum penalty of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release and a $100 special assessment to the Victims’ Assistance Fund. Restitution may also be ordered. Gunhammer’s trial date has yet to be scheduled.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/Pierre-2011-02-08-Gunhammer.html

Two South Dakota Men and One South Dakota Woman Charged for Assault and Witness Tampering (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on Jan. 27, 2011, before U.S Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes, Lucille Little Eagle, age 23, Alex Little Eagle, age 29, and Brandon Bagola, age 23, all pleaded not guilty to the indictment: assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Lucille Little Eagle is also charged with aiding and abetting and tampering with witnesses. Both Little Eagle’s and Bagola face the maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 Special Assessment to the Victims’ Assistance Fund for the assault charges. Lucille Little Eagle also faces the maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 Special Assessment to the Victims’ Assistance Fund for witness tampering. Restitution may also be ordered. Both Little Eagle’s and Bagola’s trial date has yet to be scheduled.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/Pierre-2011-02-08-Eagle.html

Oregon Man Sentenced for Murder and Arson (U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon)
U.S. Attorney Dwight C. Holton announced that during a federal court session in Portland, Ore., on Feb. 7, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Garr M. King, Jerome Phillip Spino, a 32-year-old resident of Warm Spring, Ore., was sentenced to 35 years in prison, pay restitutions to the victims’ estate and five years of supervised release. Spino was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to two counts of murder in the second degree and arson.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/or/PressReleases/2011/20110207_Spino.html

Wyoming Man Sentenced For Assault on Federal Officer (U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming)
U.S. Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced that during a federal court session on Feb. 7, 2010, before U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Ethan Surrell, a 24-year-old resident of Ethete, Wyo., was sentenced to 12 months in prison, two years of supervised release, a $100 special assessment and $1,532 in restitution for assaulting/resisting a Bureau of Indian Affairs Officer.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/wy/pressrel/index.html

Washington Man Sentenced for Attack on Tribal Woman (U.S. Attorney for Western District of Washington)
U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan announced that during a federal court session on Jan. 21, 2011, before U.S. District Court Judge Richard A. Jones, Harold Jon Williams, a 36-year-old member of the Swinomish Tribe, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Williams assaulted a female tribal member following an alcohol fueled house party on the Swinomish Reservation.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/waw/press/indiancountrycrimes.html

Washington Man Indicted for Sexual Abuse of Two Minors (U.S. Attorney for Western District of Washington)
U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan announced that a federal grand jury in Seattle, Wash., on Jan. 6, 2011, Roger Walter Damien, a 26-year-old member of the Swinomish Tribe, was indicted for two counts of sexual abuse of a minor. Damien allegedly sexually assaulted two Native American females under the age of 16 at his home on the Swinomish Reservation. Damien’s trial is scheduled for March 14, 2011.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/waw/press/indiancountrycrimes.html