Twin Buttes Man Sentenced On Multiple Child Molestation Offenses

BISMARCK – United States Attorney Christopher C. Myers announced that on December 20, 2017, Chief United States District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland sentenced Lonnie Dale Spotted Bear, 73, Twin Buttes, ND, to serve 30 years in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release for multiple child molestation offenses.

On September 14, 2017, after a three-day trial, a federal jury found Spotted Bear guilty on two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, one count of Attempted Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child, and one count of Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child.  Evidence presented at trial demonstrated that, during a five-year period, Spotted Bear molested three girls under the age of twelve.  Specifically, Spotted Bear, through his status as a trusted relative, gained access to, isolated, and individually molested these girls.  Additionally, evidence at trial demonstrated that when Spotted Bear learned that two of his victims disclosed that he molested them, he attempted to intimidate and influence their guardians.   

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan O’Konek prosecuted the case.