Lodge Grass man who strangled girlfriend sentenced to prison

BILLINGS — A Lodge Grass man who admitted strangling his girlfriend on the Crow Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif Johnson said.

Augustus Christopher Wolfblack, also known as Augustus Christopher Flatmouth, 19, pleaded guilty to assault by strangulation of a dating partner on Aug. 11, 2020.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said Wolfblack assaulted the victim on Sept. 15, 2019 in Lodge Grass. Wolfblack struck the victim with his fists, put her in a headlock and strangled her. The victim was treated at the Indian Health Services in Crow Agency for injuries. When interviewed, Wolfblack initially denied assaulting the victim except to say he grabbed her arm after she hit him in the head. After being pressed, Wolfblack admitted he had assaulted the victim, although he claimed that he did not squeeze her neck.

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

XXX