Tokio, ND Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Involuntary Manslaughter and Child Neglect

Fargo – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl announced today that Tierra Lynn Scott, age 31 from Tokio, ND, was sentenced before Chief Judge Peter D. Welte, United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, to 168 months in federal prison – the statutory maximum of 96 months for Involuntary Manslaughter and 24 months consecutive on each of the three Child Neglect counts in Indian country.  Judge Welte also sentenced Scott to serve three years of supervised release following her incarceration and to pay restitution for funeral-related expenses. 

On August 17, 2024, law enforcement responded to a residence in Fort Totten, North Dakota, where an adult male was later pronounced dead.  The investigation revealed the man had been struck and run over by a motor vehicle driven by Scott. Scott had no driver’s license and was under the influence of intoxicating liquor and in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia and Scott was backing and otherwise driving recklessly, and without due care for the rights and safety of others. The investigation further revealed Scott had three minor children in the vehicle with her at the time.

“In August 2024, a man lost his life due to the negligence of Tierra Scott,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. “She also placed three minor children at risk, driving with them while under the influence of alcohol and in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. The FBI will work together with our law enforcement partners to ensure our community is safe for all, especially for children.”

“This was an entirely preventable death which was tragically witnessed by others, including children who were in and outside the defendant’s vehicle, all who have no doubt been traumatized,” said Acting US Attorney Jennifer Puhl. “Sadly, in recent years law enforcement has responded to increased incidents of alcohol-impaired driving deaths on the Spirit Lake Reservation. I hope this sentence serves as a reminder of the severe legal consequences for individuals who choose to drive under the influence and will deter that behavior.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lori H. Conroy.

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