The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on June 1, 2011, before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, DOUGLAS LORENZO BIXBY, a 35-year-old resident of Lame Deer, appeared for sentencing. BIXBY was sentenced to a term of:

Prison: 37 months

Special Assessment: $100

Supervised Release: 3 years

BIXBY was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori H. Suek, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On May 22, 2010, the victim, BIXBY, and others were drinking alcohol. At some point, they were dropped off at the rodeo grounds in Lame Deer near BIXBY's van. BIXBY was very drunk and backed over the victim and then left her at the rodeo grounds. After a missing persons report was filed by the victim's family, the victim's body was eventually found at the rodeo grounds.

When interviewed, BIXBY admitted that he was very drunk and has little memory of that night. He did admit that he knew he hit something and it is possible that he backed over the victim.

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

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

 

 

Return to Top