Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings, on February 11, 2009, before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, DEAN RONDEAU, a 67-year-old resident of Lame Deer, appeared for sentencing. RONDEAU was sentenced to a term of:

• Prison: 24 months

• Special Assessment: $100

• Supervised Release: life

RONDEAU was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to aggravated sexual abuse.

In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On May 24, 2007, FBI agents were informed by BIA Northern Cheyenne Social Services of an allegation of sexual abuse made by the victim, T.R.H. (dob -/-/98), to her St. Labre school counselor. The victim's grandfather, RONDEAU, was babysitting her and her siblings while her parents were away. RONDEAU and the victim were covered up with a blanket on the bed watching a movie when RONDEAU touched T.R.H.'s vagina. When the victim's brother left the room, RONDEAU attempted to kiss T.R.H.

A few days later, RONDEAU was supposed to babysit T.R.H. and her siblings again. T.R.H. locked herself in a car and told her mom that " I don't want Grandpa Dean to watch me because he touched my privates."

T.R.H. was examined by a mental health professional. Again, T.R.H. stated that RONDEAU had touched her vagina under her clothing. During the examination, T.R.H. was asked to indicate where RONDEAU had touched her by using an anatomical diagram of a female girl. T.R.H. pointed to the vagina on the diagram and also drew a picture of the room at her house where the incident occurred.

When interviewed, RONDEAU admitted to inserting his right index finger into the victim's vagina while babysitting her at her residence.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that RONDEAU will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, RONDEAU does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

 

 

Return to Top