Winnebago Man Sentenced for Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Lawrence S. Bassette, age 40, of Winnebago, Nebraska, was sentenced November 13, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for domestic assault by an habitual offender in Indian Country. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Bassette to 21 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Bassette’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

In December 2022, Bassette assaulted an elderly male victim known to him by punching the victim multiple times with a closed fist. During the ensuing scuffle, an elderly female was also injured. Prior to his assault on the victim in December 2022, Bassette had already been convicted on multiple occasions of domestic violence offenses in federal and tribal courts.

This case was prosecuted in federal court because the offense was a felony and occurred on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.