Fargo, ND — The grim facts of a preventable tragedy unfolded in the courtroom as Tierra Lynn Scott, 31, from Tokio, ND, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for involuntary manslaughter and child neglect. Chief Judge Peter D. Welte of the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota handed down the sentence, which includes the statutory maximum of 96 months for involuntary manslaughter and consecutive 24-month sentences on each of three counts of child neglect.
The horror began on August 17, 2024, when law enforcement arrived at a residence in Fort Totten to find an adult male dead from being struck by a vehicle. The investigation revealed that Scott was behind the wheel, driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor and with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. At the time, Scott had three minor children in her vehicle.
FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. emphasized the gravity of the crime: “Tierra Scott placed not just one but three innocent lives at risk by driving under the influence with drugs and alcohol present. The FBI is committed to making our community safe, especially for children.”
Acting US Attorney Jennifer Puhl echoed the sentiment of preventability and trauma: “This incident has left a lasting scar on the families involved and on our community. It’s tragic that law enforcement has seen an increase in alcohol-impaired driving deaths on the Spirit Lake Reservation. We hope this sentence serves as a stern reminder of the consequences for such dangerous behavior.”
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lori H. Conroy.
Scott must also serve three years of supervised release after her prison term and is ordered to pay restitution for funeral-related expenses. The sentence sends a clear message that such reckless behavior will not be tolerated in North Dakota’s Spirit Lake Reservation.”
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Key Facts
- State: North Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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