Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today Great Falls, on May 8, 2008, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, BRIAN DEAN BELL, a 25-year-old resident of Lodgepole, BELL was sentenced to a term of:

• Prison: 37 months

• Special Assessment: $100

• Supervised Release: 3 years

BELL was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to assault resulting in In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would On May 19, 2007, the victim was spending the night at a friend's residence.

At various points during the evening of May 19th and the morning of May 20, BELL went to the residence. Around 1:00 a.m on May 20, 2007, the victim asked BELL, who was intoxicated, to leave the residence.

As BELL left the residence, he kicked a dog. The victim came to the defense of BELL from the residence. A scuffle ensued, during which BELL then beat and kicked the victim.

As a result of the assault, the victim suffered several facial injuries, including an The victim subsequently received medical treatment from an ophthalmologist Both doctors because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" BELL will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In BELL does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for.

However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

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

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.