Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Member Sentenced to Life for Sexually Assaulting Three Tribal Children

GRAND RAPIDS, MI—Clifford Francis Gould, Jr., a/k/a “Dulo”, 47, of Peshawbestown, Michigan, was sentenced to life in prison, following his conviction for aggravated sexual assault of three tribal children, each a female member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, U.S. Attorney Donald A. Davis announced today. Gould was sentenced by the Hon. Janet T. Neff, U.S. District Judge in Grand Rapids, and must serve the entire life sentence, as there is no parole in the federal system.

Gould was convicted of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual conduct following a four-day trial in Grand Rapids, in March of this year. Gould lived on the Grand Traverse Band reservation which is located on the Leelanau Peninsula. The sexual assaults occurred at the Gould’s home on the reservation, and spanned a two year period between April of 2005 through May of 2007. The jury heard explicit, oftentimes disturbing testimony, regarding the sexual assaults these three child victims endured at the hands of Gould. The youngest was six years old and two other girls were nine years old at the time. In addition, the jury also heard the agonizing testimony of family members whom Gould sexually assaulted when they were children.

In sentencing, Judge Neff said that this case was “sad and tragic beyond measure,” indicating that Gould has never showed any remorse for the victims. She also went on to say that Gould was a sexual predator. U.S. Attorney Davis praised the coordinated investigative efforts of the FBI and the Grand Traverse Band Tribal Police Department. He also noted the importance of cooperation between the federal and tribal law enforcement departments in addressing the problem of violent crime in Indian Country. “It was through the tireless and coordinated efforts of these two law enforcement agencies that this case was successfully prosecuted. I hope this sentence sends a clear message to those who think they can commit violent crime in Indian Country with impunity, especially the exploitation of children in our Tribal communities: There will be a high price to pay.”

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeff J. Davis and Timothy P. VerHey.