Jesse Ray Blackman, Obstruction of Justice, Montana 2024

A Billings man accused of harassing and threatening witnesses in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, in an ongoing federal investigation has admitted to obstruction charges. Jesse Ray Blackman, 41, pleaded guilty to two counts of obstructing justice by retaliating against a witness as charged in a superseding indictment.

Blackman faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The court set sentencing for January 31, 2024.

According to court documents, the government alleged that beginning in October 2022, Blackman maintained an ongoing campaign of harassment against his ex-girlfriend, Jane Doe, and her boyfriend, in Browning. Using the Messenger feature of Facebook, Blackman sent messages from multiple Facebook accounts to Jane Doe, threatening to harm both her and her boyfriend. Blackman also called Jane Doe’s place of employment multiple times a day and threatened her.

Blackman admitted to using Facebook to send messages to Jane Doe, and that the messages could be viewed as threats. An FBI agent interviewed Blackman in March 2023 and advised him that Jane Doe and her boyfriend were witnesses in an ongoing federal investigation, and that threats against them as witnesses could be criminal. The agent also advised Blackman to cease all contact with them.

However, Blackman contacted both Jane Doe and her boyfriend in April with the intent to retaliate against them for information they gave to law enforcement relating to the threats. In a phone call to Jane Doe on April 4, Blackman said, “I can’t believe what you did to me! You’re going to pay for it bitch!”

The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, with assistance from the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley is prosecuting the case. Blackman was detained pending further proceedings.

Defendant: Jesse Ray Blackman, 41, of Billings, Montana

Criminal Charges: Two counts of obstructing justice by retaliating against a witness

City and State: Billings, Montana

Exact Date: January 31, 2024 (sentencing)

Sentence or Outcome: Faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/billings-man-admits-obstructing-justice-witness-retaliation