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Press Release

Federal jury convicts Box Elder man of sexually abusing two children

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Montana

GREAT FALLS — A federal jury on Feb. 7 convicted a Box Elder man of sexually abusing two children at a residence on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

After a two-day trial that began on Feb. 6, the jury found the defendant, Shawn Saddler, Sr., 57, guilty of aggravated sexual abuse and two counts of abusive sexual contact.  Saddler faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and not less than five years of supervised release on the charge of aggravated sexual abuse and a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and not less than five years of supervised release on the charge of abusive sexual contact.

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. The court set sentencing for June 12. Saddler was detained pending further proceedings.

“There is no greater duty of our office than to hold accountable those who victimize children. Saddler’s crimes against these two young victims were disgraceful and it is a relief that the jury convicted him. While his crimes will always traumatize the victims, I hope they find a small measure of comfort knowing that Saddler won’t be able to harm them again. I thank Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Myers and our support team, along with the FBI and Rocky Boy’s Police Department, for their extraordinary work in investigating and prosecuting this case,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

The government alleged in court documents and at trial that in 2021 and 2022 in a residence in Box Elder, on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, Saddler sexually molested and abused two girls multiple times. Both victims were under the age of 12 years at the time.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Myers is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Police Department conducted the investigation.

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Contact

Clair J. Howard

Public Affairs Officer

406-247-4623

Clair.Howard@usdoj.gov

Updated February 8, 2024

Topic
Indian Country Law and Justice
Press Release Number: 24-43