Cannonball Man Sentenced for Domestic Assault by a Habitual Offender

BISMARCK – U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Nov. 25, 2013, Samuel B. Silk Jr., 42, Cannonball, N.D., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland on a charge of domestic assault by a habitual offender. Silk pleaded guilty to the charge on Sept. 11, 2013.

Judge Hovland sentenced Silk to three years and seven months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Silk was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund.

On Jan. 17, 2013, Silk assaulted a woman, which resulted in the woman suffering a fractured jaw and extensive bruising to her leg. At the time, Silk had at least two previous convictions for domestic violence offenses in Standing Rock Tribal Court.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Standing Rock Agency, with the assistance of the Standing Rock Tribal Prosecutor’s Office and the Standing Rock Tribal Court.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Delorme prosecuted the case.