Vincent Matthew Fortin Sentenced in U.S. District Court
The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on June 18, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, VINCENT MATTHEW FORTIN, a 23-year-old resident of Hays, appeared for sentencing. FORTIN was sentenced to a term of:
Prison: 41 months
Special Assessment: $100
Supervised Release: 3 years
FORTIN was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to domestic abuse by a habitual offender.
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:
The victim had been in an on-and-off again relationship with FORTIN, who is an enrolled member of the Fort Belknap Tribe.
On July 18, 2011, FORTIN and victim began to argue at a residence which was within the exterior boundaries of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. A short time later FORTIN grabbed a whip and proceeded to take the whip and hit the victim twice in the head. The victim fell to the ground and FORTIN kicked her in the arms and legs, and continued to whip her legs, face, and neck.
Police were alerted to the assault later in the day. The responding officer observed bruising on the victim's forehead, scratches on her neck and ear, as well as bruising and marks on her left leg. The officer called for an ambulance. An ambulance arrived and transported her to the hospital in Havre. The treating physician observed bruising to the victim's forehead and left side of her neck. She also had scalp swelling and a large abrasion on her right thigh and bruising to her shoulder.
FORTIN had three prior convictions for domestic abuse.
Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that FORTIN will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, FORTIN 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation.
