Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings on February 6, 2008, before U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, KEVIN WHITEMAN, a 37-year-old resident of Lame Deer, pled guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Sentencing is set for May 7, 2008. He is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On June 7, 2007, Northern Cheyenne law enforcement received a report that a woman was getting beat up behind a residence in Lame Deer. When law enforcement arrived, bystanders pointed out WHITEMAN crawling up a nearby hillside. Below him was the victim of the offense. When the officer approached the victim, she was having trouble walking and complained of pain between her legs. The officer also observed circular burn marks on the palm of her right hand. The victim told the officer that WHITEMAN had kicked her between her legs, and had put her hand on a burner.

Further investigation revealed that WHITEMAN and the woman were at a nearby house with family. WHITEMAN and the victim were arguing. He then grabbed her hand forced it onto a hot burner in the kitchen. He then threw her on the floor and began kicking her between her legs. The victim reported that she blacked out a few times during the assault.

The victim was taken to the emergency room for treatment at Lame Deer. She was then transferred to St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings for further treatment because of significant hemorrhaging from the pelvis. She suffered a significant pelvic laceration with attendant hemorrhaging and severe pain. Surgery was required to repair the wound.

During the investigation, WHITEMAN made statements to law enforcement taking responsibility for the assault.

WHITEMAN faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.