Assaults, robbery send Browning woman to prison for almost five years

GREAT FALLS — A Browning woman who admitted to stabbing a man, biting a federal correctional officer and robbing a local store in three separate incidents on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to four years and eight months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Jada Mulon Wells, 21, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault on a federal officer and robbery.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

In court documents, the government alleged the three separate crimes involved different victims and occurred over a few months in late 2022 and early 2023.

In the first assault, the government alleged that on Nov. 5, 2022, Wells, who had been drinking alcohol, went to a family member’s home in Browning and assaulted the victim, identified as John Doe, over a bottle of alcohol. Wells struck John Doe, kicked him in the head while he was on the ground and stabbed him four times. John Doe was transported to a local hospital then flown to Benefis hospital in Great Falls where he underwent life-saving surgery.  

In the second assault, the government alleged that after Wells’ arrest on Nov. 6, 2022, she was incarcerated at the Browning Jail, a federal correctional facility operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. While being processed into the jail, Wells bit the hand of Jane Doe, a federal correctional officer, as she was being escorted to a holding cell. The bite broke the skin of Jane Doe’s hand.

In the robbery, the government alleged that on Jan. 13, 2023, Wells went with another person to a quilting store in Browning to try to sell a buffalo skull. The cashier, identified as Jane Doe 2, declined to buy the buffalo skull. Wells became agitated and ultimately grabbed a pair scissors. Holding them at waist high, Wells demanded that Jane Doe 2 open the till. Jane Doe 2 complied, and Wells took almost $300 from the till and stuffed it into her jacket.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the case. The FBI, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, BIA and Cut Bank Police Department conducted the investigation.

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