Dodson man pleads guilty to strangulation on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation

GREAT FALLS - A Dodson man accused of strangling a woman on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

The defendant, Skychief Chiefstick Lewis, 29, pleaded guilty to strangulation. Lewis faces 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and 3 years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Brian M. Morris presided and will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is set for October 29, 2025. Lewis was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that on September 13, 2024, Skychief Chiefstick Lewis was with Jane Doe. Lewis was mad at Doe, who was sick, because she was sleeping. This resulted in an argument. Lewis then strangled Doe, who later described not being able to breathe as Lewis strangled her with his hands. Lewis also strangled her a second time during the same assault.

Law enforcement was contacted and responded. Officers approached and saw a silver car leaving the house at a high rate of speed. Law enforcement stopped the car. Doe was driving and Lewis was in the passenger seat. Officers noted redness around Doe’s face and saw that Doe’s shirt and sweatshirt were torn around the neck area. Red marks and bruising on Doe’s neck were later noted. Doe described the strangulation by putting both of her hands to her throat.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.

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