Browning man sentenced for causing death on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation

GREAT FALLS – A Browning man who caused a death on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 12 months and a day in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Joseph Wayne Cree Medicine, 41, pleaded guilty in September 2025 to one count of involuntary manslaughter.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

The government alleged in court documents that on December 7, 2023, Cree Medicine crashed his Dodge Durango. The back seat passenger, John Doe, died as a result. The crash occurred after Cree Medicine left the roadway, overcorrected, and ultimately rolled the vehicle. Montana Highway Patrol conducted the crash investigation and determined Cree Medicine was driving too fast for conditions and was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. A blood draw taken at the hospital showed Cree Medicine’s blood contained an alcohol content (BAC) of .137.

EMS treated Doe at the scene and transported him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley prosecuted the case. The BIA, Montana Highway Patrol, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.

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