Gene Kristy Guardipee, Jr. Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on October 9, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, Gene Kristy Guardipee, Jr., a 35-year-old resident of Browning and an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe, pled guilty to sexual abuse of a minor, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. Sentencing has been set for January 14, 2013. He is currently detained.

In an offer of proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

Guardipee met J.R.R. when she was 9 years old. J.R.R. introduced herself to many within Guardipee’s family and, while Guardipee was present, stated that she was 9 years old.

Approximately three years later, J.R.R. kissed Guardipee. J.R.R. was 12 years old at the time. Then, on J.R.R.’s 13th birthday, Guardipee had sex with her. J.R.R. explained that she remembered the day because it was both her birthday and a special day for her. This relationship continued for the next year. J.R.R. stated that she had sex with Guardipee many times over a one-year period. All of the sex occurred in Browning, which is on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. During the sexual relationship, Guardipee was 34 and 35 years old.

J.R.R. also disclosed that she sent naked pictures of herself to Guardipee. A search warrant was subsequently obtained for Guardipee’s cell phone, which law enforcement found on Guardipee when they arrested him. Pictures of J.R.R., as well as of other minors, were found on Guardipee’s cell phone. These pictures were nude pictures, and many of them focused on the vaginal area of the minors. These pictures constituted and contained child pornography. All of the child pornography was received and saved on Guardipee’s phone. The photos had been received by Guardipee between November 2011 and March 2012.

Guardipee faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and lifetime supervision.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.