Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Great Falls on January 24, 2008, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, BRIAN DEAN BELL, a 25-year-old resident of Lodgepole, pled guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Sentencing is set for May 8, 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 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, 2007, 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 the dog and tried to escort BELL from the residence. A scuffle ensued, during which the victim fell or was knocked to the ground. BELL then beat and kicked the victim.

As a result of the assault, the victim suffered several facial injuries, including an upper lip laceration, a fractured maxillary bone, and retinal tear.

The victim subsequently received medical treatment from an ophthalmologist and a medical doctor, both of whom were qualified to treat facial injuries. Both doctors concluded that the victim's facial injuries constituted serious bodily injury, as that term is defined by federal law.

BELL 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.