Martin Lee Roman Nose Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on April 25, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, Martin Lee Roman Nose, a 23-year-old resident of Ashland and an enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, pled guilty to sexual abuse of a minor. A sentencing date will be set at a later time. He is currently detained.

In an offer of proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On October 27, 2011, Roman Nose and his girlfriend came across the 15-year-old victim and took her to their apartment. All three were drinking during the walk to the apartment and at the apartment. At some point, Roman Nose and his girlfriend started to fight. Roman Nose eventually locked her out of the apartment.

Roman Nose and the victim were left alone in the apartment. Roman Nose followed the victim into a bedroom, drank with her, and then sexually abused her.

Roman Nose was interviewed twice. He initially denied sexually abusing the victim. However, later he admitted that he did, but he recanted again, saying that he only made the admission because he believed it was what the agents wanted him to say.

Roman Nose faces possible penalties of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.