North Dakota U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Recent Indictments and a Sentencing for Sexual Offenses on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation

BISMARCK – United States Attorney Christopher C. Myers announced the recent prosecution of three individuals for sexual offenses occurring on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

INDICTMENTS:

Tyson Keith Eagleman, 30, from New Town, ND, was charged by an Indictment returned on September 5, 2018, on two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Force. The Indictment alleges that on or about May 27, 2017, Eagleman, an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, sexually assaulted a woman on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. On September 24, 2018, Eagleman had an Initial Appearance in the United States District Court for the District of Montana. On October 25, 2018, in Bismarck, ND, Eagleman had an Arraignment hearing before United States Magistrate Judge Alice Senechal. On October 29, 2018, United States Magistrate Judge Charles Miller, Jr. presided over Eagleman’s Detention hearing and detained Eagleman pending trial.

Chance Lone Bear, 21, from Mandaree, ND, was charged by an Indictment returned on October 3, 2018, for Sexual Abuse of a Minor. The Indictment alleges that on or about March 23, 2017, Lone Bear, an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes, knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a child aged between 12 and 16 years on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. On November 20, 2018, Lone Bear had an Initial Appearance and Arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Charles Miller, Jr. Judge Miller released Lone Bear on several conditions pending trial.

These cases are being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan J. O’Konek.

The Indictments in the above listed cases are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

SENTENCING:

Nathan Leon Yellow Lodge, Jr., 26, from New Town, ND, was sentenced on October 15, 2018, by Chief United States District Judge Daniel L. Hovland on a charge of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. Judge Hovland sentenced Yellow Lodge to serve five years in prison, followed by ten years of supervised release. Yellow Lodge pleaded guilty to this offense on April 11, 2018.

On June 18, 2017, Yellow Lodge engaged in sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old minor when he was 25 years old.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan J. O’Konek.