Leesville Man Sentenced in Federal Court for Involuntary Manslaughter

Defendant Receives 37 Months in Prison

LAFAYETTE, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that David Lamour Logan, 19, of Leesville, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik, to 37 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for involuntary manslaughter.

On July 15, 2011, the Fort Polk Department of the Army Police responded to a one-vehicle collision located just inside the boundary of the Northwestern University Fort Polk branch campus and property that formerly belonged to Fort Polk. Logan, the operator of the vehicle, failed to follow the curving highway and ran off the road into a wooded area. The passenger of the vehicle, Vernon Scoggins, III, 19, of Hornbeck, Louisiana, subsequently died from injuries sustained in the accident. Logan was intoxicated at the time the accident occurred and admitted that he had consumed a large amount of beer and “spice” (material laced with synthetic cannabinoids), prior to the collision, ultimately causing him to pass out and lose control of the vehicle. Logan was charged in a one-count indictment in October of 2011 and pled guilty on May 30, 2012, to involuntary manslaughter.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alexandria Resident Agency, and the Fort Polk Department of the Army Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brett L. Grayson.

China Springs Man to Serve Seven Years in Prison for Federal Involuntary Manslaughter Conviction

ALBUQUERQUE—This afternoon, a federal judge sentenced Julian Bahe, 20, a member of the Navajo Nation who resides in China Springs, New Mexico, to seven years in prison for his involuntary manslaughter conviction. Bahe will be on supervised release for three years after he completes his prison sentence.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales said that Bahe killed Billy Boyd, a 59-year-old Navajo man, on November 20, 2010, when he set fire to a van parked outside his grandmother’s residence in China Springs in the Navajo Indian Reservation.

On May 11, 2012, Bahe entered a guilty plea to a criminal information charging him with involuntary manslaughter. In his plea agreement, Bahe admitted that on the night of November 20, 2010, he intentionally set fire to a van parked outside his grandmother’s home because he was angry with his grandmother. According to the plea agreement, earlier that day, Bahe had an argument with his grandmother while his grandmother, Billy Boyd, and Bahe were in the van, socializing and drinking alcohol. Bahe returned later that night with a gas can, poured gas into the van’s window, and ignited the gas. At the time, Bahe assumed that the van was empty because he did not see any lights in the van and did not hear anyone. He later learned that Billy Boyd was asleep in the van and died in the fire.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Crownpoint Division of the Navajo Department of Public Safety and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark T. Baker.

St. Francis Man Arraigned on Charges of Involuntary Manslaughter and Child Abuse

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for involuntary manslaughter and child abuse.

Dino Dean Kane, age 22, was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 22, 2012. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 23, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years’ in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The charges are merely accusations, and Kane is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant United States Attorney Tim Maher is prosecuting the case.

Kane was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

Wyoming Man Sentenced for Involuntary Manslaughter

U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming Christopher A. Crofts announced that on August 8, 2012, Michael Terry Hill, a 36-year-old Eastern Shoshone Tribal member from the Wind River Indian Reservation, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Clarence A. Brimmer to 41 months’ imprisonment, two years of supervised release, $100 in court costs, and $3,837.45 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

McLaughlin Man Arraigned on Manslaughter Charge

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a McLaughlin man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for involuntary manslaughter.

Jody Red Bird, age 32, was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 18, 2012. He appeared before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on August 2, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is not more than eight years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. The charge stems from an incident in June 2012 when Red Bird, who was heavily intoxicated, was driving a vehicle and had an accident. A passenger in the vehicle was killed as a result of the accident.

The charge is merely an accusation, and Red Bird is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Morley is prosecuting the case. Red Bird was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not yet been set.

Norris Man Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, Child Abuse, and Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol with a Minor Present in the Motor Vehicle

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Norris, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for involuntary manslaughter, child abuse, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol with a minor present in the motor vehicle.

Mark Clairmont, age 38, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 12, 2012. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 19, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years’ custody, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The charges are merely accusations, and Clairmont is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marie H. Ruettgers. Clairmont was released on bond pending trial.

Adrian Broken Rope Sentenced in U.S. District Court

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings on April 4, 2012 before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, Adrian Uriah Broken Rope, a 25-year-old resident of Lodge Grass and an enrolled member of the Crow Tribe, appeared for sentencing. Broken Rope was sentenced to a term of:

■Prison: 60 months

■Special assessment: $400

■Supervised release: three years

Broken Rope was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter and three counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

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

On May 5, 2011, a motor vehicle accident was reported on the Crow Indian Reservation. Responding emergency personnel and witnesses observed Broken Rope “pinned” behind the wheel of the vehicle. “XX,” a passenger in Broken Rope’s vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. Three other passengers, “AA,” “BB,” and “CC,” were transported to nearby medical facilities for medical treatment.

An investigation was immediately initiated into this matter. As part of the investigation, occupants of the car involved were interviewed. Those with a recollection attested that Broken Rope was the driver. Initial medical information indicated that Broken Rope had a blood alcohol level of above 0.26 at the time of the crash. Additionally, analysis of the crash site by Montana Highway Patrol troopers suggested Broken Rope was exceeding the posted speed limit immediately prior to the crash.

An autopsy confirmed XX’s death was caused by injuries sustained during the crash. The three other passengers each sustained injuries that constituted serious bodily injury as a result of the crash.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the “truth in sentencing” guidelines mandate that Broken Rope will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, Broken Rope does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for “good behavior.” However, this reduction will not exceed 15 percent of the overall sentence.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Montana Highway Patrol.