St. Michael Man Arrested on First-Degree Murder Charges
| U.S. Attorney’s Office July 23, 2012 |
FARGO—U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that a St. Michael, North Dakota man has been arrested and charged with the May 2011 killings of Destiny Jane Shaw and Travis Lee DuBois, Jr. on the Spirit Lake Reservation. Valentino James Bagola, 19, faces four counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of the two children.
In Bismarck, United States Attorney Purdon said, “The indictment unsealed today is the result of months of careful police work by the FBI and the BIA. This investigation included the thorough examination of a great deal of forensic evidence and law enforcement interviews of many, many individuals. The resources and effort brought to bear on this investigation by the federal law enforcement agents and the Assistant United States Attorneys who are involved should leave no doubt as to the Department of Justice’s commitment to ensuring justice for child victims in Indian country.”
The indictment charges Bagola with:
- Count one: the unlawful killing of Destiny Jane Shaw;
- Count two: the unlawful killing of Destiny Jane Shaw while perpetrating or attempting to perpetrate the crimes of aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, and child abuse against Destiny Jane Shaw;
- Count three: the unlawful killing of Travis Lee DuBois, Jr.; and
- Count four: the unlawful killing of Travis Lee DuBois, Jr. while perpetrating or attempting to perpetrate the crime of child abuse against Travis Lee DuBois, Jr.
The indictment alleges that Bagola killed the two children by “striking and stabbing” them “numerous times.”
The maximum penalty for all charges is life imprisonment.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Scott Schneider, Janice Morley, and Chris Myers. The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services.