TRIBAL JUSTICE NEWS
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 1, 2010

Contact: Jessica Smith, Office of Public Affairs: (202) 514-2007

South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Child Abuse and Neglect (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Dominic Roan Eagle, Sr., 29, of Oglala, S.D., appeared before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on Oct. 29, 2010, and pleaded guilty to an indictment that charged him with felony child abuse and neglect.  In May 2010, Roan Eagle violently shook his four-month-old son, causing serious injuries. 
               
www.justice.gov/usao/sd/Media.html

Five Plead to Illegal Taking of Eaglets (U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona)
U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke announced on Oct. 27, 2010, Eugene Mansfield, 58, Eldrice Mansfield, 40, Emmett Namoki, 60, and Lucas Namoki, 34, of Mishongnovi Village, Ariz., pleaded guilty and were sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark E. Aspey to one year probation and $250 in restitution to be paid to the Hopi Tribe for their Wildlife and Ecosystems Management.  Brendan Mansfield, 37, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 days in jail and restitution. All defendants pleaded guilty to illegally taking golden eaglets in violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Act.         
       
www.justice.gov/usao/az/press_releases/index.html

South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Raymond A. Clifford, 50, of Kyle, S.D., appeared before U.S. District Judge Richard H. Battey in Rapid City, S.D., on Oct. 26, 2010, and pleaded guilty to a two-count information that charged him with abusive sexual contact.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in prison.  The charges stem from the intentional touching of two minors in Shannon County, S.D., between 2001 and 2006.

www.justice.gov/usao/sd/Media.html

Paul James Bemer Sentenced in U.S. District Court (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)
U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, Mont., on Oct. 26, 2010, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, Paul James Bemer was sentenced to 37 months in prison, $300 Special Assessment, $58,355 in restitution and three years supervised release.  Bemer was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to conspiracy to commit theft from an Indian tribal organization, conspiracy to obstruct a federal audit, and receipt of compensation from a source other than the federal government by a federal employee.

www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

Oregon Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Sexual Abuse of Two Minor Victims (U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon)
U.S. Attorney Dwight Holton announced on Oct. 26, 2010, that Bryson Sutterlee, 24, of Warm Springs, Ore., pleaded guilty today in U. S. District Court to two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor.  In May 2009, a six-count indictment was returned by a federal grand jury, outlining Sutterlee’s sexual abuse of two minor females on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Indian Reservation.  Sutterlee, who was arrested by federal agents subsequent to the indictment, is scheduled to be sentenced before the Honorable Ancer L. Haggerty on Jan. 4, 2011.  The plea agreement contemplates a sentence of 188 months in prison.  According to the indictment and the prosecutors’ statements in court, Sutterlee lived on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.  While on the reservation, Sutterlee sexually abused two of his female relatives by force and without their consent.  One of Sutterlee’s victims was under the age of 12 at the time of the abuse; the other victim was under the age of 16.

 

www.justice.gov/usao/or/pressroom.htm

Whitehorse Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison in Navajo Nation Assault Case (U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah)
U.S. Attorney Carlie Christensen announced on Oct. 26, 2010 that Michael Whitehorse, 21, of Montezuma Creek, Utah, who pleaded guilty in May to one count of abusive sexual contact in connection with a December incident on Navajo Nation land, will serve 46 months in federal prison.  As part of a plea agreement reached with federal prosecutors, Whitehorse admitted that on Dec. 2, 2009, while on Navajo Nation land, he knowingly engaged in sexual contact with the victim while she was being forcibly restrained.  Whitehorse is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. 

www.justice.gov/usao/ut/press/index.html

Devin Hall Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)
U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, Mont., on Oct. 26, 2010, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, Devin Hall pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary.  Sentencing has been set for Jan. 24, 2011.  According to court documents, on March 6, 2010, officers were dispatched to a burglary report at a home in Wolf Point, Mont.  Upon their arrival they spoke with a male individual who reported that Hall had broken into the residence and sexually assaulted a young girl sleeping on the couch.  The court documents also allege that on Dec. 22, 2009, officers were dispatched to a burglary report at another home in Wolf Point.  Upon their arrival they spoke with the homeowner who reported that Hall had just been found in the residence lying next to a teenaged girl.  Hall did not have permission to be in the residence and is believed to have made entry through a back door that did not lock. 

www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

Thirty-Year Sentence for Child Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Oct. 25, 2010, Deven J. Poitra, 19, of Dunseith, N.D., was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland on charges of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and failure to update sex offender registration. A federal jury convicted Poitra on July 28, 2010. Judge Hovland sentenced Poitra to 30 years in federal prison, the mandatory minimum sentence, for the charge of aggravated sexual abuse of a child. Poitra was sentence to 10 years in federal prison for the charge of failure to update sex offender registration.  On Dec. 20, 2009, a juvenile was playing in the basement of a house in the Dunseith area. Poitra entered the room, picked up the juvenile and carried the juvenile to a laundry room in the house, where Poitra sexually assaulted the juvenile.

www.justice.gov/usao/nd/pressreleases/index.html

South Dakota Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of Firearm (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Mission, S.D., man charged with felon in possession of firearm was sentenced on Oct. 25, 2010, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.  Henry Peter Shields Him, Jr., aka Hank Shields Him, 59, was sentenced to 33 months in prison, two years of supervised release, a $100 special assessment and ordered to forfeit the firearm.  Shields Him was indicted for felon in possession of firearm, possession of unregistered firearm, and possession of firearm unidentified by serial number by a federal grand jury on April 13, 2010.  The charges related to Shields Him, after having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, knowingly possessing a Remington, model 41 Targetmaster, .22 caliber short-barreled weapon bearing no serial number, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce and foreign commerce, in November 2009 in Todd County, S.D.

www.justice.gov/usao/sd/Media.html

South Dakota Woman Sentenced for Involuntary Manslaughter (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a La Plant, S.D., woman charged with involuntary manslaughter was sentenced on Oct. 25, 2010, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.  Rita Miner, aka Rita Paz, 48, was sentenced to 24 months in custody, three years of supervised release, $6320.49 in restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund.  Miner was indicted for involuntary manslaughter by a federal grand jury on Dec. 8, 2009.  The charge relates to a September 2009 car/pedestrian crash, on rural Highway 212, in which Miner’s motor vehicle struck and killed a woman from Batesland, S.D..  Miner admitted in court documents that she was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana prior to the collision.  Miner pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter on July 27, 2010.

www.justice.gov/usao/sd/Media.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 a St. Francis, S.D., man charged with sexual abuse was sentenced on Oct. 25, 2010, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.  Mickey W. McCloskey, 29, was sentenced to 87 months in prison, five years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.  McCloskey was indicted for sexual abuse by a federal grand jury on Jan. 12, 2010.  The charge relates to McCloskey’s sexual abuse of a Rosebud, S.D., woman in August 2009.  He pleaded guilty to the charge on July 29, 2010.

www.justice.gov/usao/sd/Media.html

Amber Marie Bear, Dayna Jean Bear, Mamie Jean Bear and Wallene Mary Bear Sentenced in U.S. District Court (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana)
U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, Mont., on Oct. 25, 2010, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, Amber Marie Bear, Dayna Jean Bear, Mamie Jean Bear and Wallene Mary Bear were sentenced in connection with their guilty pleas. Amber Marie Bear was sentenced to 45 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Dayna Jean Bear was sentenced to 77 months in prison in connection with her guilty plea to conspiracy to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Mamie Jean Bear was sentenced to 17 months in prison in connection with her guilty plea to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Wallene Mary Bear was sentenced to 120 months in prison in connection with her guilty plea.

www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

Jicarilla Apache Woman Charged with DUI-Related Vehicular Homicide (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)
U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced that on Oct. 22, 2010, Richaline Atole, 30, a member of the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, appeared in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge W. Daniel Schneider on a criminal complaint charging her with involuntary manslaughter. The complaint alleges that Atole killed Andy Talamante, 41, while operating a motor vehicle and under the influence of alcohol within the confines of the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation.

www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/index.html

U.S. Attorney Announces Creation of Indian Country Crime Unit/Operational Plan (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)
U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced on Oct. 22, 2010, that his office has completed a week of meetings with tribal representatives at the Blackfeet Indian Reservation; the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation; the Fort Peck Indian Reservation; and the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.  During the visits the U.S. Attorney introduced members of tribal councils, tribal court systems, and Tribal Public Safety and Information Officers to his newly formed Indian Country Crime Unit.  Additionally, U.S. Attorney Cotter presented the district’s Indian Country Operational Plan to the tribes.  Representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation also attended the meetings with tribal representatives.

www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

Three Individuals Sentenced in U.S. District Court (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)
U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on October 21, 2010, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, Dolly Diane Crowe was sentenced to 24 months in prison; Connie Jean Smith was sentenced to 30 months in prison; and Shelly Devonne Pipe was sentenced to 45 months in prision.  Crowe, Smith and Pipe were sentenced in connection with their guilty pleas to theft from an Indian tribal organization and conspiracy to obstruct a federal audit.

www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

Montana Woman Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)
U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, Mont., on Oct. 21, 2010, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, Doran Flynn, a 30-year-old resident of Wolf Point, Mont., appeared on a charge of involuntary manslaughter.  She is currently released on special conditions.  If convicted of this charge, Flynn faces possible penalties of 8 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release. 

www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

Fort Yates Woman Pleads Guilty to Arson (U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Oct. 19, 2010, Rebecca A. Marshall, 31, of Fort Yates, N.D., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland to a charge of arson.  On Nov. 29, 2009, Marshall set fire to a residence she had been renting from the Standing Rock Housing Authority. The Housing Authority was in the process of evicting Marshall from the home. Marshall admitted to investigators that she started the fire by lighting blankets on fire within the home. The home was destroyed by the fire.

www.justice.gov/usao/nd/pressreleases/index.html

Bryce Hamilton Newbreast Sentenced in U.S. District Court (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)
U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, Mont., on Oct. 18, 2010, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, Bryce Hamilton Newbreast was sentenced to120 months in prison, $100 Special Assessment and 10 years supervised release.  Newbreast was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to sexual abuse.  According to court documents, in July of 2008, the FBI received information that Newbreast had sexually abused his six-year-old niece sometime in June or July 2008.  The residence where this incident took place is located in Browning, Mont., within the exterior boundaries of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

North Dakota Man Sentenced for Theft (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Bismarck, N.D., man charged with theft concerning programs receiving federal funds was sentenced on Oct. 18, 2010, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.  Ladarana Mees, 55, was sentenced to 120 months in custody, three years of supervised release, $19,650 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  Mees was the finance officer for the Standing Rock Housing Authority and was indicted for theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and laundering of monetary instruments by a federal grand jury on Oct. 20, 2009.  The charge stems from Mees intentionally and knowingly converting to his own use and the use of others, property valued at $19,650 and owned by or under the care, custody, and control of the Standing Rock Housing Authority in November 2007. At sentencing, the court found that Mees had embezzled between $1.4 and $1.7 million from the housing authority using sophisticated means, in part by making unauthorized purchases and running the money through several companies.

www.justice.gov/usao/sd/Media.html

South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Kevin Bull Bear, age 46, of Kyle, S.D., appeared before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on Oct. 19, 2010, and pleaded guilty to an information that charged him with abusive sexual contact.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  Bull Bear had sexual contact with a woman who was passed out and unable to give consent. 

www.justice.gov/usao/sd/Media.html