Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Great Falls on April 14, 2008, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, DANETTE DEE LONG FOX, a 37-year-old resident of Harlem, pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Sentencing is set for August 4, 2008. She is currently detained.

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

LONG FOX and the victim had been romantically involved since late July of 2007. Early on the morning of August 26, 2007, they were at a house party held on the Fort Belknap Reservation.

During the course of the party, LONG FOX was physically abusive to the victim by slapping and punching him. The victim did not respond, instead walking away from her.

Eventually, LONG FOX followed the victim into the kitchen where they were alone. She then walked out of the kitchen and told a witness, "I stabbed [the victim]."

The victim was found with a substantial knife wound to the chest. He was taken to a local hospital. The doctor who treated him confirmed that he had suffered serious bodily injury as a result of an assault with a sharp cutting object, such as a knife.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. Thaggard prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Havre.

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