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Pryor Man Convicted of Assault on Crow Reservation
A jury in the United States District Court for the District of Montana has found Joseph Nathan Smells, 34, of Pryor, guilty of assaulting a man on the Crow Reservation. The assault occurred on February 13, 2019, and caused the victim multiple facial injuries that required surgery.
According to the evidence presented during the two-day trial, Smells head-butted and punched the victim while the victim was a passenger in a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle had stopped to investigate a kicked-in door at the victim’s house and had told Smells and another man to leave the premises. Smells and the driver had argued, and as the driver tried to call police, Smells attacked the victim.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeanne Torske prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the trial and set sentencing for March 18, 2020. Smells is being detained pending sentencing.
Smells faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. The jury’s verdict has sent a strong message that violent crime will not be tolerated on the Crow Reservation.
The prosecution presented evidence that Smells assaulted the victim in a brutal and unprovoked attack. The victim was left with serious facial injuries that required medical attention. Smells’ actions were a clear violation of the law, and he must be held accountable for his actions.
This case highlights the importance of community vigilance and cooperation in preventing and investigating violent crimes. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs worked closely together to investigate this case and bring the perpetrator to justice.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting the people of Montana and upholding the rule of law. This conviction demonstrates our office’s dedication to seeking justice for the victims of violent crime.
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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