Fort Berthold Man Sentenced for Sexual Abuse

BISMARCK – U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on July 16, 2014, Richard G. Staples, 24, Parshall, N.D., pleaded guilty to and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland on a charge of sexual abuse.

Judge Hovland sentenced Staples to serve five years and four months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Hovland ordered Staples to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund. Staples will also be required to register as a sex offender once released from prison.

In or about May of 2013, Staples, an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes, sexually abused an individual incapable of consenting to sexual activity on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Fort Berthold Agency and Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Volk.