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WEEK OF APRIL 6, 2010


Arizona Woman Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm (U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona)

Shauna Ann Lewis, 30, of Scottsdale, Ariz., a member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Tribe, was sentenced on April 6, 2010, to 46 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Neil V. Wake.  Lewis pleaded guilty on Jan. 21, 2010, to felon in possession of a firearm.  On Sept. 9, 2009, Salt River Police Officers conducted a traffic stop on a car in which Lewis was a rear seat passenger and saw a 12-gauge shotgun belonging to Lewis.  At the time, Lewis was prohibited from possessing the shotgun as she had previously been convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon in federal court.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/press_releases/index.html

South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Stabbing Another Person (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota) U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota Brendan V. Johnson announced on April 6, 2010, that Leroy Elmer Ghost, age 64, of Manderson, S.D., appeared before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken and pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/Media.html 
                                                        
Ralph Delbert Brown III Sentenced In U.S. District Court (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana) The U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana announced on April 6, 2010, that Ralph Delbert Brown III, a 27-year-old resident of Crow Agency, Mont., was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release.  Brown was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to sexual abuse of a minor.  When interviewed by law enforcement, Brown admitted that he had sexually abused a juvenile male from 2004 to 2007.  The abuse occurred at a house in Black Lodge, on the Crow Indian Reservation.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/20100331143032.html

Justin Phillip Whiteman Sentenced in U.S. District Court (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana) The U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana announced on April 6, 2010, that during a federal court session in Billings, Mont., before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, Justin Phillip Whiteman, a 20-year-old resident of Hardin, Mont., was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $17,515.82 in restitution.  Whiteman was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to theft.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

Mobil Oil Companies to Pay U.S. $32.2 Million to Resolve Allegations of Underpayment of Royalties From American Indian and Federal Lands (Civil Division)

Mobil Natural Gas Inc., Mobil Exploration & Producing U.S. Inc. and their affiliates have agreed to pay the United States $32.2 million to resolve claims that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly underpaying royalties owed on natural gas produced from federal and American Indian leases, the Justice Department announced on April 5, 2010.  The Mobil companies are alleged to have systematically under reported the value of natural gas taken from the leases from March 1, 1988, to Nov. 30, 1999, and, consequently, paid less royalties than owed to the United States and various American Indian tribes.

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/April/10-civ-368.html

North Dakota Woman Pleads Guilty to Larceny (U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota) 
Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota Lynn Jordheim announced that on April 5, 2010, Jessica McGillis, 36, of St. John, N.D., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland to a charge of larceny.  From March 2008 to September 2008, McGillis served as the treasurer of the Belcourt Hospital Employees Recreational Association (BHERA), which is an organization of employees from Indian Health Services.  McGillis took funds from BHERA to make unauthorized personal purchases and payments.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nd/pressreleases/2010/04-05-2010-McGillis%20Plea.pdf

Red Lake Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Woman Over Three-Day Period (U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota) B. Todd Jones, U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, announced on April 5, 2010, that a 30-year-old Red Lake, Minn., man pleaded guilty in federal court to assaulting a woman on the Red Lake Indian Reservation.  In his plea agreement, Roberts admitted he and the victim argued on Nov. 4, 2009, and during the course of that argument, he punched her in the head.  He also admitted that over the following three days, he continued to repeatedly assault the woman by choking her and repeatedly kicking her in the chest and ribs.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mn/major/major0533.pdf

Purported Gang Leader Sentenced for Illegally Possessing a Firearm (U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota) B. Todd Jones, U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, announced that a 32-year-old purported leader of the Native Gangster Disciples street gang was sentenced on April 5, 2010, in federal court for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  In St. Paul, Minn., U.S. District Court Judge Patrick Schiltz sentenced Douglas David Peake to 115 months in prison on one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  In his plea agreement, Peake admitted possessing on Jan. 1, 2008, two nine-millimeter, semi-automatic pistols.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mn/major/major0532.pdf

South Dakota Man Sentenced for Assaulting, Resisting or Impeding Federal Officer (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)         

U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Fort Thompson, S.D., man charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding a federal officer was sentenced on April 5, 2010, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.  Codi Lee Harmon was sentenced to 24 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/Media.html

South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Child Abuse and Neglect (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)   U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota Brendan V. Johnson announced that Patrick Medearis, age 26, of Mission, S.D., appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on April 5, 2010, and pleaded guilty to child abuse and neglect.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both; a period of supervised release of three years; and a special assessment of $100 to the Victim Assistance Fund.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/Media.html

U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana Announces the Completion of Meetings With Tribal Representatives at Each of the Six Partner Indian Reservations in Montana (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana, Michael W. Cotter, announced on April 2, 2010, that his office has completed a week of meetings with tribal representatives at each of the six partner Indian Reservations in Montana.  During the visits the U.S. Attorney, seven Assistant U.S. Attorneys and representatives with the FBI met with members of tribal leaders to discuss enhancing communication with tribal governments and increasing the number and quality of training opportunities for the tribes.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

Nebraska Man Sentenced for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender (U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska) U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska Deborah R. Gilg announced on April 2, 2010, that Ivan Parker, of Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced for failing to register as a sex offender.  The Honorable Lyle E. Strom, Senior U.S. District Court Judge, sentenced Parker to 24 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  Parker has a prior juvenile conviction requiring him to register as a sex offender.  During September 2009, Parker was observed on the Omaha Indian Reservation on multiple occasions by his former probation officer, but was last registered on the sex offender registry at a residence in Lincoln. Neb.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/ne/press/

Federal-Tribal Task Force Takes Down Crack Dealers in Gila River Indian Community (U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona)

Tribal and federal police executed search warrants at several homes on April 2, 2010, in and near the Gila River Indian Reservation in Arizona, arresting five people on charges of dealing crack cocaine and methamphetamine.  In an undercover operation lasting more than two years, the Gila River Police Special Enforcement Unit, supported by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs drug unit, zeroed in on people with a known history of dealing crack and meth out of their homes in the Gila River Community.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/press_releases/2010/2010-057(GRIC_Crack).pdf

Wilbur Lee Cadotte Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana) The U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana announced on April 2, 2010, that Wilbur Lee Cadotte, a 54-year-old resident of Seville, Mont., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine in a public housing facility.  On March 23, and March 25, 2009, a confidential informant of the Blackfeet Safe Trails Drug Task Force purchased methamphetamine from Cadotte.  The purchases occurred at Cadotte’s residence located in Seville, which is on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/20100331162539.html

Tammy Lynn Cadotte Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana) The U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana announced on April 2, 2010, that during a federal court session in Great Falls, Mont., before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, Tammy Lynn Cadotte, a 43-year-old resident of Browning, Mont., pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/20100331132208.html

David Hugo Walker Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana) The U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana announced on April 2, 2010, that during a federal court session in Great Falls, Mont., before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, David Hugo Walker, a 43-year-old resident of Fort Belknap, Mont., pleaded guilty to failure to register as a sex offender.  Sentencing has been set for June 28, 2010.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/20100331162310.html

Sky Miguel Little Coyote Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana) The U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana announced on April 2, 2010, that during a federal court session in Billings, Mont., before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, Sky Miguel Little Coyote, an 18-year-old resident of Ashland, Mont., pleaded guilty to assault of a federal officer.  Little Coyote faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/20100331131931.html

Theodore Largo Charged With Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child and Abusive Sexual Contact (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)

Theodore Largo, 38, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared in federal court on April 2, 2010, and pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with aggravated sexual abuse of a child and abusive sexual contact.  The charges relate to incidents that occurred within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/2010/tribal_justice_apr-5/040510_arraignment_largo.pdf

Dan Keith Bobelu Charged With Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)

Dan Keith Bobelu, 20, an enrolled member of the Zuni Tribe, appeared in federal court on April 1, 2010, and pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence.  The charges relate to an incident that occurred within the boundaries of the Zuni Pueblo Reservation.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/2010/tribal_justice_apr-5/040510_arraignment_bobelu.pdf

David Pino Charged With Aggravated Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico) David Pino, 60, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared in federal court on April 1, 2010, and pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with aggravated sexual abuse.  The charges relate to incidents that occurred within the boundaries of the Alamo Navajo Indian Reservation.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/2010/tribal_justice_apr-5/040510_arraignment_pino.pdf

Kelly Spencer Hobbs Charged With Sexual Abuse of a Minor (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico) Kelly Spencer Hobbs, 32, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared in federal court on April 1, 2010, and pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with sexual abuse of a minor.  The charges relate to incidents that occurred within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/2010/tribal_justice_apr-5/040510_arraignment_hobbs.pdf   Eric Begay Charged With Maiming, Felony Child Abuse and Assault (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico) Eric Begay, 23, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared in federal court on March 31, 2010, and pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with maiming, felony child abuse and two counts of assault.  The charges relate to the abuse of the defendant’s nine month old daughter which occurred within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/2010/tribal_justice_apr-5/040510_arraignment_begay.pdf

South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Assault (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota) U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota Brendan V. Johnson announced on March 30, 2010, that Deserick Bird, age 22, of Sisseton, S.D., pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.  Bird and the victim were at a house party with several other people, when Bird started firing a BB gun across the room, shooting the victim in the face.  The victim lost the use of his eye as a result of the shooting.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/media_news/SF-04-05-10-Bird.html

Nevada Woman Charged with Assault (U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada) On March 25, 2010, Amber Deanna Bounds was charged in U.S. District Court in Reno, Nevada, with one count of misdemeanor assault for punching J.P., an Indian female, on or about her person on October 23, 2008, on the Elko Indian Colony in Nevada.  The defendant’s initial appearance in federal court is scheduled for May 17, 2010.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nv/press/index.html