Hardin man admits raping woman on Crow Indian Reservation

BILLINGS – A Hardin man on Tuesday admitted raping a woman he met at a casino and took to the Crow Indian Reservation, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said today.

Elmer Burpee Yarlott II, 65, pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual abuse. Yarlott faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to a lifetime of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. Yarlott was detained pending further proceedings. A sentencing date will be set.

In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said that on Nov. 19, 2019 in Hardin, Yarlott approached the victim in a casino and offered her a dollar if she would leave with him and his friend. After midnight, the victim left with Yarlott and his friend and they drove to the Crow Indian Reservation. Yarlott dropped off his friend and then drove with the victim to a remote area on the reservation to drink alcohol and use methamphetamine. When the victim declined Yarlott’s repeated requests for sex, Yarlott threatened to kill the victim and then raped her.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Suek is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.

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