Man admits sexually abusing minor boy on Crow Indian Reservation

BILLINGS — A man admitted today that he sexually abused a boy in Lodge Grass, on the Crow Indian Reservation in 2021, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Nathaniel Bartell Plainbull, 34, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with sexual abuse of a minor. Plainbull faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to a lifetime of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Plainbull’s release was continued pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that in June 2021, Plainbull and others were drinking and socializing at various locations on the Crow Indian Reservation. Eventually, the group returned to a home in Lodge Grass where some continued to drink. One of the individuals, a woman, tried to open a bedroom door but found it locked and went to sleep in the living room. The woman tried the bedroom door later, opened it and saw Plainbull, naked, on the bed with the victim, identified as John Doe, who was under the age of 16 at the time. The woman ultimately reported to law enforcement in March 2022 what she had seen in June 2021 while being interviewed on another matter. FBI agents interviewed John Doe, who described sexual abuse by Plainbull.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.

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