Multiple assaults on dating partner on Blackfeet Indian Reservation send Babb man to prison for more than four years

GREAT FALLS  — A Babb man who admitted assaulting his dating partner on three separate occasions within a year was sentenced today to four years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

Zachary James Cassidy, 33, pleaded guilty in June to assault resulting in serious bodily injury and two counts of assault of a dating partner resulting in substantial injury.

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

The government alleged in court documents that Cassidy and the victim, identified as Jane Doe, were in a romantic relationship between March 2022 and January 2023. During that time, Cassidy assaulted the victim on three separate occasions. In June 2022, Cassidy and the victim were at a bar in St. Mary when Cassidy became upset with Jane Doe. Cassidy assaulted the victim in the bar, dragged her outside and continued the assault. Cassidy then dragged Jane Doe to a truck and drove to his residence, where he continued the assault. Jane Doe woke up on a couch, was alone and could not move. When found, she had to be carried to a car. Jane Doe sought medical attention the next day for multiple injuries and returned to the hospital a month later for follow up. In August, Cassidy assaulted Jane Doe at his residence. When a friend sought to intervene, Cassidy assaulted her, told her she was trespassing and that he was going to shoot her. Jane Doe went to the hospital after that assault for treatment of injuries. A third assault occurred on Jan. 9 as Cassidy and Jane Doe were traveling from Doe’s family residence toward Babb. Cassidy started getting mad at Jane Doe and his truck ultimately got stuck in the snow. Cassidy assaulted Jane Doe, who refused to get out of the truck. A neighbor witnessed the assault and called law enforcement. A standoff between Cassidy and officers ended with the use of chemical agents.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the case. The FBI, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and Glacier County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol, conducted the investigation.

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