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Press Release

Wind River Indian Reservation Resident Sentenced to 108 Years

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Wyoming

LANDER – Acting United States Attorney John R. Green, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Calvin Shivers, and Bureau of Indian Affairs Special Agent in Charge Doug Noseep announced that on March 28, 2017 Winder River Indian Reservation Resident Marvin "Muff" Magnan, age 63, of Lander, Wyoming was sentenced to 108 years in a federal penitentiary. A jury found Magnan unanimously guilty on 12 counts of sexual assault on September 22, 2016. The guilty verdicts were the result of a 4 day trial before U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl. The jury deliberated for less than one day before reaching their verdict. Magnan, who was indicted by a federal grand jury in Casper, Wyoming on May 18, 2016, was detained after his arrest and through trial. He was sentenced by Judge Skavdahl on March 28, 2017.

According to the indictment and evidence presented at trial, Magnan sexually assaulted six child victims, all but one victim related to Magnan. Each victim testified at trial and each described multiple, repeated incidents where Magnan unlawfully touched them in a sexual manner. Many of these incidents happened while the minor children were entrusted to Magnan’s care and while Magnan was allegedly teaching horsemanship to his victims. Other incidents occurred at his house or other properties on the Wind River Indian Reservation. One incident against a victim occurred in Salt Lake City, Utah. This case was successfully prosecuted and justice given to the victims because of their perseverance under tough circumstances and the lengthy, complex investigation conducted FBI Agent Paul Swenson.

"Magnan’s sentence illustrates the FBI’s commitment to protect our most vulnerable citizens, our children," said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Calvin Shivers. "The FBI will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office to rigorously investigate and prosecute cases involving the sexual victimization of children."

This case was investigated by the FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stephanie Sprecher.

Updated April 3, 2017

Topic
Project Safe Childhood