Channing Lee Ziler, Assault on Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Montana 2017

BILLINGS, Montana – In a shocking turn of events, Channing Lee Ziler, a 33-year-old Ashland man, has pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

According to court documents, on December 31, 2017, Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officers responded to a 911 call at a residence in Ashland, on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. Multiple people were drinking at the residence, including Ziler. Witnesses described Ziler as being violent that night.

The victim, identified as [ Victim’s Name ], arrived at the residence with other individuals. Witnesses described Ziler as holding a rifle when [ Victim’s Name ] arrived and saying, “this looks like someone I can slap around.” Ziler then struck [ Victim’s Name ] in the head with the rifle.

Ziler took [ Victim’s Name ]’s truck and left with [ Victim’s Name ] and another person. Law enforcement received another 911 call that the truck had run out of gas and that Ziler had set it on fire to stay warm in below zero temperatures.

Ziler left the scene with the other individual, and law enforcement found [ Victim’s Name ] by the truck. [ Victim’s Name ] was taken to a Billings hospital for treatment of injuries.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Dake is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI. U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided over the case.

Ziler faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. He is currently being detained pending further proceedings. A sentencing date is pending.

The incident highlights the dangers of violence and the importance of community safety. The Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation has been plagued by violent crimes in recent years, and this case serves as a reminder of the need for continued efforts to address these issues.

In a statement, the FBI emphasized the importance of working with local law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute crimes on Native American reservations.

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