Warren James Trombley Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls on April 28, 2010, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, WARREN JAMES TROMBLEY, a 38-year-old resident of Browning, pled guilty to incest. Sentencing has been set for August 9, 2010. He is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vince Carroll, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

T.T., the 18-year-old victim, resided with TROMBLEY (who is the victim's biological father) and TROMBLEY's girlfriend, at a residence within the exterior boundaries of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

On January 1, 2009, the residence was occupied by TROMBLEY, TROMBLEY's girlfriend, the victim, and a male friend (J.W.). On that day, TROMBLEY's girlfriend was preparing to leave for Great Falls when she saw the victim asleep in a bedroom of the residence. TROMBLEY's girlfriend also saw TROMBLEY lying on another bed in the same room with the victim and noticed TROMBLEY was fully clothed. TROMBLEY told his girlfriend that he "just wanted to sleep," and asked her to lock the door behind her. TROMBLEY also asked her to instruct J.W. not to let anyone into the residence. TROMBLEY's girlfriend recalls that J.W. was in the living room of the house.

TROMBLEY's girlfriend left the residence but returned shortly because she had forgotten something. She knocked on the door until J.W. let her in, and then she went directly to her daughter's bedroom, the same room she had earlier seen TROMBLEY and the victim in. She opened the door, which she had to force open, and saw TROMBLEY was now in bed with the victim. She stated the victim was lying on her side with her back to TROMBLEY and the front of TROMBLEY's body was pressed up against the back of the victim. TROMBLEY's girlfriend stated TROMBLEY was moving his hips in a motion that made her believe he was having sexual intercourse with the victim. TROMBLEY's girlfriend said she thought TROMBLEY was naked because she saw his clothes on the floor next to the bed, including his pants and underwear. TROMBLEY immediately yelled at his girlfriend to close the door and leave him alone. TROMBLEY's girlfriend went to the telephone and called the police.

The victim was transported to the Indian Health Services Hospital in Browning following the incident. DNA tests were performed and TROMBLEY's semen was found in the victim's vagina.

TROMBLEY faces possible penalties of life in prison, a $50,000 fine and lifetime supervision.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.