The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on April 18, 2012, before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, TIFFANY RUTH SHOULDER BLADE, a 19-year-old resident of Lame Deer, appeared for sentencing. SHOULDER BLADE was sentenced to a term of:

Probation: 5 years

Special Assessment: $100

Restitution: $23,333.48

SHOULDER BLADE was sentenced in connection with her guilty plea to theft of government property.

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

On March 21, 2011, a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer received a call regarding a possible assault in Busby, which was within the exterior boundaries of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. When the officer responded, he observed an individual run from the scene. The officer parked his patrol vehicle, got out, and began chasing the individual. SHOULDER BLADE and other individuals were standing near the patrol vehicle. SHOULDER BLADE got into the BIA patrol vehicle and sped away heading east. SHOULDER BLADE wrecked the vehicle a short distance away.

The patrol vehicle was owned by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, an agency of the United States Government. The patrol vehicle was valued at approximately $23,000.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that SHOULDER BLADE will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, SHOULDER BLADE 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 conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

 

 

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