Belcourt Man Sentenced for Sexual Abuse

BISMARCK – U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on July 19, 2013, Nodin J. Azure, 25, Belcourt, N.D., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland on a charge of sexual abuse. Azure pleaded guilty to the charge on Jan. 23, 2013.

Judge Hovland sentenced Azure to five years’ and 10 months’ imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund and to pay restitution in the amount of $3,136.41. Azure was also ordered to register as a sex offender.

On May 24, 2011, Azure went into a bedroom where a woman was sleeping and proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her. When the victim awoke, she pushed Azure off of her, fled the residence, and drove to the hospital. This offense occurred on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Turtle Mountain Agency.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandi Sasse Russell prosecuted the case.