Dunseith Man Pleads Guilty to Assault

BISMARCK, ND—Acting United States Attorney Lynn Jordheim announced that on June 29, 2010, Michael L. Demery, 26, of Dunseith, North Dakota, pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland to a charge of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

In the early morning hours of January 19, 2010, the victim was giving Demery a ride home when they began to argue. Demery used his fists to strike the victim in the face multiple times. The victim freed himself from his seatbelt during the assault and got out of the vehicle. Demery took the vehicle, leaving the victim on the roadside. The victim was found by a passing motorist and transported to the hospital. The victim sustained multiple facial fractures which required surgery, a broken nose, and some of his teeth were knocked out.

The charge of assault resulting in serious bodily injury carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Belcourt Police Department.

Sentencing for Demery has been scheduled for September 27, 2010, in United States District Court in Minot, North Dakota, at 2:00 p.m.

Assistant United States Attorney Brandi Sasse Russell is prosecuting the case.