Browning man sentenced to more than five years for shooting, wounding another man during argument

GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who admitted to shooting and wounding another man during an argument in Browning on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to five years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Johnathan Charles Gifford Oldchief, 24, pleaded guilty in June to assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault with a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during a crime of violence.

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

In court documents, the government alleged that on April 7, Oldchief spent the evening drinking with others at a residence in Browning. Shortly after midnight, five persons left the house in a vehicle driven by Oldchief. After driving less than two blocks, Oldchief and the victim, identified as John Doe, got into a verbal argument. Oldchief stopped driving and another person intervened. Oldchief ordered Doe out of the vehicle and Doe complied. After driving a short distance, Oldchief stopped the car, grabbed his 9mm pistol from the center console and got out. Oldchief approached Doe and shot him point blank in the abdomen. Oldchief returned to his car and left the scene. Emergency services responded and Doe was flown to a hospital in Great Falls where he underwent lifesaving surgery.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the case. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.

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