Browning woman sentenced to four years in prison for assaulting another woman on Blackfeet Indian Reservation

GREAT FALLS — A Browning woman who admitted assaulting another woman during an argument, causing the victim serious injuries, was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Thomasine Tachelle Wahl Salway, 31, pleaded guilty in January to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that on Jan. 31, 2023 at a Browning residence, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Salway struck the victim, identified as Jane Doe, while arguing with Doe for Doe to give her a ride to another house in Browning. Doe told Salway she would take her later but not right then. Salway became upset and began punching Doe in the face. Alcohol was a factor in the assault. Doe initially was treated for a deep facial laceration at the Browning Indian Health Service, then was transferred to Benefis in Great Falls for further treatment. The laceration was the result of a sharp edge object, but a witness did not know what Salway used to strike Doe.

The U.S. Attorney’s Officer prosecuted the case. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.

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