Jalen Jeremy Larance Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on August 28, 2012, before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, Jalen Jeremy Larance, a 21-year-old resident of Lame Deer and an enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, pled guilty to aggravated sexual abuse. Sentencing has been set for November 28, 2012. He is currently detained.

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

In late August or early September of 2011, Larance came to the house where the victim was staying, located in a housing area in Lame Deer, to check his Facebook account on her computer. Larance was drunk. While at the house, Larance pushed his body against the victim, trying to hold her. She told Larance to leave, and then she went into the bathroom. Larance followed her into the bathroom, pushed her against the sink, and forced her to engage in sexual intercourse. The victim repeatedly told Larance no.

The victim did not report the rape to law enforcement immediately, but she did tell her school counselor. There were also Facebook postings by Larance about the rape in which he apologized to the victim.

Larance was interviewed and provided a recorded statement admitting that he raped the victim.

Larance faces possible penalties of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and lifetime supervision.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.