Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings on April 10, 2008, before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, STEPHEN PAT RYAN CAPLETT, a 22-year-old resident of Crow Agency, pled guilty to assault on a federal officer. Sentencing is set for July 16, 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 the evening of October 25, 2007, CAPLETT was an inmate at the Crow Detention Center. He informed an officer that the women's area of the detention center needed toilet paper. This was a ruse to get the officer to open the secure door. CAPLETT was standing near the door when the officer opened the secure door. As the officer attempted to close and lock the door, CAPLETT pushed him, which caused the officer to fall and strike his shoulder on the floor. CAPLETT and another inmate escaped through the open door.

The officer was transported by ambulance to the Crow Indian Health Service Clinic where he was examined and treated for pain to his right shoulder.

On October 30, 2007, CAPLETT was interviewed and admitted that he had planned his escape from the Crow Detention Center. He further admitted that it was his intent to lure the officer to the secure door and to have him open the door. CAPLETT also admitted that he grabbed the door and pushed the officer out of the way and that he heard the officer hit the floor or a wall "pretty hard."

CAPLETT faces possible penalties of 20 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 a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

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