Martha Mae Mitchell Sentenced in U.S. District Court

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on October 22, 2013, before Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, Martha Mae Mitchell, a 57-year-old resident of Box Elder and an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, was sentenced to a term of:

• Prison: 63 months
• Special assessment: $100
• Supervised release: three years

Mitchell was sentenced in connection with her guilty plea to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

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

On January 23, 2013, Mitchell became frustrated when a 9-month-old child would not stop crying. Mitchell told law enforcement that she twisted the baby’s legs and both arms, causing injuries to them. Mitchell further told law enforcement that she was “shocked and disgusted” at herself. The crime occurred within the exterior boundaries of the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.

Medical evidence would have shown that the victim suffered fractures to all four of the baby’s limbs. The victim was hospitalized for a week. The medical evidence would also show that the victim sustained additional injuries that may not be attributed to Mitchell’s conduct.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the “truth in sentencing” guidelines mandate that she will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, she does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for “good behavior.” However, this reduction will not exceed 15 percent of the overall sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.