Earl Landon Old Chief, Jr., Assault on a Federal Officer, Montana 2021

Table of Contents

Assault on a Federal Officer Lands Two Men Behind Bars

In a shocking turn of events, two men, Earl Landon Old Chief, Jr. and Darnell Lee Not Afraid, have been charged with assault on a federal officer on the Crow Indian Reservation in Lodge Grass, Montana.

The incident occurred on March 14, 2021, when Bureau of Indian Affairs officers were pursuing Not Afraid, who was driving a stolen truck at high speeds through residential neighborhoods in Lodge Grass.

Not Afraid eventually stopped, got out of the truck and ran away. The officer pursued on foot into a residential yard and drew his Taser. As the officer neared Not Afraid, Not Afraid turned toward the officer, pulled up his shirt and grabbed a silver revolver from his waistband.

The officer dropped his Taser, drew his service pistol and fired multiple times at Not Afraid, striking him at least once in the arm. An angry crowd of people, who had been watching the chase, accosted the officer, yelling and cursing at him.

Old Chief became agitated at the scene and threw a bottle at the officer, nearly striking him in the shoulder and head. Old Chief pointed the officer’s Taser at the officer’s face and then threw the Taser at him.

Earl Landon Old Chief, Jr., 36, pleaded guilty on Thursday, September 15, to assault on a federal officer. Old Chief faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Co-defendant Darnell Lee Not Afraid, 38, of Pryor, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, September 14, to possession of a firearm in furtherance of assault on a federal officer, a crime of violence. Not Afraid faces a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release.

A third co-defendant, Darwyna Caylynn Catherine Bullshows, pleaded guilty to charges and is pending sentencing. U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today that the court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other sentencing factors.

Old Chief and Not Afraid were detained pending further proceedings. The government alleged in court documents that Officers were in the course of their official duties when pursuing Not Afraid, who was driving a stolen truck at high speeds through residential neighborhoods.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.

Billings, Montana – In a shocking turn of events, two men, Earl Landon Old Chief, Jr. and Darnell Lee Not Afraid, have been charged with assault on a federal officer on the Crow Indian Reservation in Lodge Grass, Montana.