The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on September 28, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, AARON REESE LITTLE EAGLE, a 27-year-old resident of Missoula, pled guilty to sexual abuse. Sentencing has been set for January 12, 2012. He is currently detained.

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

In January 2011, the victim discussed suicidal thoughts with his family stemming from past sexual abuse by LITTLE EAGLE. When interviewed by law enforcement, the victim disclosed that when he was very young he lived with foster parents in Poplar, which is located within the exterior boundaries of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. The victim lived at this house from age 3 to 14. LITTLE EAGLE also lived at the same house during this time period.

The victim stated that he was left home alone with LITTLE EAGLE when he was between eight and ten-years-old. During this time, LITTLE EAGLE grabbed the victim. The grabbing escalated and LITTLE EAGLE stuck his finger into the victim's anus while he was clothed and unclothed. LITTLE EAGLE also put his penis in the victim's mouth.

Later on, when the victim was between 11 and 12-year-old, LITTLE EAGLE began to dry hump the victim. LITTLE EAGLE called the dry humping "chair time." All of these incidents occurred in the living room and LITTLE EAGLE's bedroom.

LITTLE EAGLE was interviewed and admitted that he sexually abused the victim two times. LITTLE EAGLE said the first incident of abuse occurred when the victim and himself were wrestling. He said the victim got an erection and began dry humping LITTLE EAGLE. LITTLE EAGLE then reached back and put his hand into the victim's underwear and proceeded to fondle the victim's penis. The second incident of abuse occurred approximately a month later when LITTLE EAGLE and victim were again wrestling. LITTLE EAGLE put his hand in the victim's underwear and fondled his penis.

LITTLE EAGLE faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 5 years supervised release.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation Division.

A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.

 

 

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