KINNEAR WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FALSE STATEMENT OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that BENITA LOUISE SMITH, 56, of Kinnear, Wyoming pleaded guilty to making a false statement relating to a sexual assault during a plea hearing before United States District Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal on February 15, 2022. Sentencing has been set for May 2, 2022.

The indictment alleges that on or about October 26, 2020, Smith did knowingly make a materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement and representation in a matter within the jurisdiction of the executive branch of the Government of the United States, that is, by stating and representing to a Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent that a Bureau of Indian Affairs police officer had sexually assaulted her after he took her into custody, when the defendant knew the officer had not sexually assaulted her.

Smith faces up to five years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.

This crime was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Elmore is prosecuting the case.  

Case No. 21-cr-00091-NDF