Browning man admits assaulting elderly small business owner on Blackfeet Indian Reservation

GREAT FALLS — A Browning man accused of beating an elderly small business owner while demanding money admitted to an assault charge on Jan. 16, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

Frederick Melvin Noon, Jr., 39, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Noon faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for May 29. Noon was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that on March 21, 2023, Noon assaulted the victim, identified as John Doe, a small business owner who is in his 70s, while demanding money. Noon was intoxicated when he walked into the business and asked for money. At first, Doe refused, and Noon became progressively angrier. Doe eventually gave Noon a few one-dollar bills, but Noon was not satisfied. Noon wanted Doe to go into a storeroom for the “other money,” and Doe told him no. Noon grabbed Doe from a chair and threw him to the floor. Noon then grabbed Doe by the face and threw him into the back room. Noon took the money Doe had handed over and left. After the assault, Doe called for help and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services officers responded. Officers arrested Noon about 20 minutes later at a convenience store. Doe was transported to a Blackfeet Hospital and then transferred to another hospital for treatment of injuries.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley is prosecuting the case. The Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation.

XXX