FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
SKYLER ANDERSON PLEADS GUILTY IN U.S. FEDERAL COURT
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings on March 12, 2008, before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, SKYLER ANDERSON, a 23-year-old resident of Dunmore, pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Sentencing is set for June 18, 2008. He is currently detained.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
During the early morning hours of September 8, 2007, ANDERSON stabbed a male individual numerous times with a knife. The assault took place at ANDERSON'S home in Dunmore, within the boundaries of the Crow Indian Reservation.
The stabbing took place after a night of drinking at a bar in Hardin. During the early morning hours of September 8, 2007, ANDERSON, the victim, and others went to ANDERSON'S home to drink more. Shortly after they arrived at ANDERSON'S home, a fight broke out between ANDERSON and one other individual. After the fight, everyone left ANDERSON'S home except for ANDERSON, the victim, and one other individual. ANDERSON was mad at the victim because he did not help him in the fight. The victim and the other individual fell asleep in the living room area of ANDERSON'S home.
A short time later, the victim woke up disoriented. He walked down a hallway and knocked on a door. ANDERSON confronted him with a large knife and began stabbing him in the face, arms, and wrist. The victim tried to leave the house and was stabbed multiple times as he was leaving.
The victim walked to the home of a neighbor. The neighbor called the police. The victim was transported to the hospital in Crow Agency where he was treated for multiple wounds and lacerations.
A search was conducted at ANDERSON'S home. Two knives were seized that fit the description of the knife used during the assault.
ANDERSON faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
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A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.
