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Press Release

Crow Agency woman admits assaulting elderly man while on methamphetamine

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Montana

BILLINGS – A Crow Agency woman admitted today to attacking and seriously injuring an elderly man while she was under the influence of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Melissa Ann Prettypaint-Alvarado, 41, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury during a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan. Judge Cavan will recommend Prettypaint-Alvarado’s plea be accepted by U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters, who is hearing the case.

Prettypaint-Alvarado faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. She was detained.

Prosecutors said evidence would show that the Bureau of Indian Affairs police responded on Nov. 18, 2018 to an assault that occurred at a Crow Agency residence on the Crow Reservation. The 77-year-old victim said Prettypaint-Alvarado got angry with him and attacked him while he was lying on a bed. Prettypaint-Alvarado hit him in the face and head, tried to strangle him with a belt, pulled out a clump of his hair and bit his hand.

The victim ultimately was taken to Billings Clinic for treatment of injuries to his face, shoulder and eye area.  After the assault, the victim needed a cane to walk.

In an interview with law enforcement, Prettypaint-Alvarado admitted she is a meth user and was on meth at the time she assaulted the victim.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Suek prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.

 

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Contact

Clair Johnson Howard
Public Information Officer
406-247-4623

Updated March 14, 2019

Topic
Indian Country Law and Justice