Rick John Morales, Jr., Assault with a Bat, Montana 2019

A brutal attack in Wolf Point, Montana, has landed a local man in prison. Rick John Morales, Jr., 32, was sentenced to 54 months in prison for his role in the assault that left a victim with a severe traumatic brain injury.

According to court documents, Morales aided and abetted codefendant Harry B. Azure in assaulting the victim on November 19, 2019. The victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous, was struck multiple times in the head with a small baseball bat and left for medical assistance. The victim was ultimately flown to a Billings hospital where staff determined the severity of the injury.

Morales pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury, aiding and abetting in November 2021. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided over the case and ordered Morales to pay $13,505 in restitution, joint and several with the codefendant.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy Johnson, prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Peck Tribal Police. Morales’ codefendant, Harry B. Azure, was previously sentenced to 32 months in prison for his conviction in the case.

The assault was just one incident in a larger pattern of violence. The victim told law enforcement that the attack occurred days after an incident involving Morales.

Morales will serve 54 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The case is a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of violent crime.

A Fort Peck Indian Reservation man, Rick John Morales, Jr., 32, residing in both Wolf Point and Poplar, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to assault resulting in serious bodily injury, aiding and abetting. The city of Wolf Point, in Montana, was the scene of the crime.

Mandatory facts: Defendant/respondent name – Rick John Morales, Jr., Exact criminal charges – assault resulting in serious bodily injury, aiding and abetting, City and state – Wolf Point, Montana, Exact date – November 19, 2019, Sentence or outcome – 54 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, Dollar amounts – $13,505 restitution.

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