Michael Thomas Bad Old Man Pleads Guilty In U.S. Federal Court

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on July 17, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, MICHAEL THOMAS BAD OLD MAN, a 21-year-old resident of Cut Bank and an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe, pled guilty to burglary. Sentencing has been set for October 22, 2013. He is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On February 4, 2012, "Jane Doe" was in Great Falls because her father was in the hospital. Three individuals walked by her residence in Browning, which was located within the exterior boundaries of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

On February 4, 2012, a neighbor was out on his porch and observed three male individuals walking by his neighbor's residence. While he saw the three individuals walking by the residence, he did not see them pass by. He then heard three kicks and he knew that someone was breaking into "Jane Doe's" residence. He told his wife to call their son who is an officer with the Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.

His wife called their son and then she grabbed her camera. When their son, the officer, pulled up, the officer and the neighbor went into "Jane Doe"'s residence. The neighbor's wife then took pictures of all three individuals running out of the house. The burglary occurred in broad daylight.

The individuals who broke into the house then climbed the fence, and one escaped. BAD OLD MAN and "X.X." were caught. BAD OLD MAN had items in his pockets. While waiting for law enforcement to arrive, BAD OLD MAN stated that he was going to kill the neighbor and the officer when he gets out of jail.

After backup arrived, the officer took pictures of "Jane Doe's" front door to the residence. The door was damaged. The officer stated that he was able to identify all three defendants by name when he saw them in the residence.

While at jail, a detention officer patted down BAD OLD MAN and found numerous earrings, a knife, a zippo lighter, a metal box, a heart-shaped ring, two NFL star earrings, a pink wrist band with pendant, and a rosary with a white pendant. These items were photographed.

Jane Doe" identified the items that were found on BAD OLD MAN as belonging to her. "Jane Doe's" daughter explained that BAD OLD MAN was in her house before and knew that it was "Jane Doe's" house. "Jane Doe's" daughter estimated that BAD OLD MAN had been in the house approximately five times.

BAD OLD MAN faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $50,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.