Fort Totten Man Sentenced for Striking Two of His Children with a Closed Fist

FARGO, ND—U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Dec. 9, 2011, Roman Cavanaugh, Jr., 36, of Fort Totten, N.D., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Erickson on two charges of child abuse and neglect in Indian Country.

Judge Erickson sentenced Cavanaugh to four years and four months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. Cavanaugh was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,488.40, and to pay a $200 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund.

Cavanaugh pleaded guilty on September 20, 2011, to striking his 11-year-old and 12-year-old sons in the face with a closed fist. The 12-year-old son sustained injury to his neck from his father choking him.

During the evening of December 16, 2010, police were summoned to the home of Cavanaugh with a report that he was beating his children. Cavanaugh was barricaded in his home with a couch pushed against the door. Police were able to break through the barricade and found Cavanaugh’s 12-year-old son in the home and crying. The boy’s face was bruised and swollen. He, along with two other siblings, were taken to the Devils Lake hospital to be treated for their injuries. The incidents occurred on the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Janice M. Morley prosecuted the case.