Belgarde Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Murder and Arson

FARGO, ND – In a brutal and senseless act of violence, Cody James Belgarde, 37, of St. Michael, ND, has been sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for second-degree murder and arson.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of North Dakota, on January 1, 2021, Belgarde shot and killed a 17-year-old boy. The victim was just two weeks shy of his 18th birthday. In a twisted act of destruction, Belgarde then set fire to the house where the murder took place.

The case went to trial in November 2023, where a jury found Belgarde guilty of second-degree murder and arson within Indian country. The jury acquitted him of first-degree murder charges.

“The violent murder of this young man was as utterly senseless as it was brutal,” said U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider. “No amount of time in prison can undo the heart-rending and pointless loss of life in this case, but we hope this sentence provides a measure of justice for the victim’s family.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to increasing public safety in Indian country and will continue to aggressively prosecute perpetrators of violent crime in tribal communities. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori H. Conroy and U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider. Belgarde’s 27-year sentence is a result of his conviction on two counts: second-degree murder and arson within Indian country. The maximum sentence for second-degree murder is life in prison, but the minimum sentence for arson within Indian country is 27 months. The judge saw fit to hand down the maximum sentence for the arson charge, resulting in a total sentence of 327 months, or 27 years.

This case serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of violent crime on families and communities. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and bring you updates as more information becomes available.