Patrick J. Laverdure, Jr. Found Guilty in U.S. Federal Court

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that on October 25, 2011, in Great Falls, after a federal district court trial before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, PATRICK J. LAVERDURE, a 32-year-old resident of Wolf Point and an enrolled member of the Fort Peck Tribes, was found guilty of aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact. Sentencing is set for January 23, 2012. He is currently detained.

At trial, the following evidence and testimony was presented to the jury.

On July 27, 2010, a woman contacted the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to seek help for her 17-year-old niece, “Jane Doe,” who was concerned she was sexually abused in 2000 when she was approximately 6 years old.

“Jane Doe” was interviewed and recalled LAVERDURE babysat for herself and her sister, “Susie Doe,” while their parents went out. “Jane Doe” was approximately 6 or 7 years old and “Susie Doe” was 5 years old. The girls both slept on a mattress and LAVERDURE came and laid down by them. He pulled “Jane Doe’s” pants down and stuck his penis inside her vagina. LAVERDURE then went over to “Susie Doe” and “Jane Doe” could hear her sister crying.

When interviewed, LAVERDURE said he used to babysit, including “Jane Doe” and “Susie Doe” when he was between 19 and 24 years old. He stated he had sexually abused “Jane Doe” and “Susie Doe” while he babysat them many years ago. LAVERDURE’s recollection was that during the first incident he had been sitting on the couch with “Susie Doe” and was drinking alcohol. He put his hand inside her underwear and fondled her vagina.

The next incident occurred on the couch with “Jane Doe.” He was again drinking and stuck his hand inside “Jane Doe’s” underwear and fondled her vagina. The final incident occurred on the couch while “Jane Doe” was sleeping. LAVERDURE took his fingers and put them inside “Jane Doe’s” vagina while she slept. He said these things should never have happened. All of these incidents occurred at a residence in Wolf Point, which is within the exterior boundaries of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley prosecuted the case for the United States.

LAVERDURE faces possible penalties of a maximum life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervised release.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation Division.