Terry Lynn Braine Pleads Guilty In U.S. Federal Court

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on June 26, 2013, before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, TERRY LYNN BRAINE, a 47-year-old resident of Ashland, pled guilty to domestic assault by a habitual offender. Sentencing has been set for September 25, 2013. He is currently detained.

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

On November 29, 2012, BRAINE punched his elderly father in the eye causing severe swelling, redness, and a laceration. His elderly mother was present as well and suffered emotional trauma from witnessing the attack. BRAINE has four prior tribal court convictions for domestic assault - all of them involve assaults on his elderly parents.

The assault occurred in Lame Deer, which is within the exterior boundaries of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation.

BRAINE faces possible penalties of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.