Keith Daniel Skunkcap Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on January 29, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, Keith Daniel Skunkcap, a 21-year-old resident of Browning and an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe, pled guilty to burglary. Sentencing has been set for May 10, 2013.

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:

On August 17, 2011, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Skunkcap entered the residence of T.L.G. The residence is located Browning, which is within the exterior boundaries of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

T.L.G., the owner of the residence, told Skunkcap to leave, but he refused. T.L.G. pointed to the back door of the residence, again requesting Skunkcap to leave. Skunkcap eventually pushed T.L.G. After being pushed, T.L.G. fell to the ground. As a result of the assault, T.L.G.’s upper lip was split open. T.L.G. was transported to Kalispell due to the seriousness of the facial laceration. T.L.G. underwent reconstructive surgery on her lip and nose.

In an interview with the FBI, Skunkcap admitted that he pushed T.L.G. Although Skunkcap claimed that T.L.G. hit him about seven times in the face, he did not have any injuries.

Skunkcap faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $50,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.