Heart Butte woman admits assaulting woman with vehicle on Blackfeet Indian Reservation

GREAT FALLS - A Heart Butte woman accused of hitting another woman with her vehicle, pinning her between another vehicle, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, admitted to an assault charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Julia Lee Bigback, 40, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Bigback faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Aug. 29. Bigback was released pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that on May 18, 2022, Bigback was drinking with others and driving a suburban around Browning. The group stopped at a residence where one of Bigback's companions got into a physical altercation with the victim, identified as Jane Doe. Bigback remained in the suburban, parked behind two vehicles. After the fight, Bigback pulled forward in the suburban, hitting the car in front, which then struck Doe, who had been walking between two stationary cars. Doe was sandwiched between the two cars. Bigback then reversed out of the driveway and drove away. Doe suffered two broken legs and required extensive surgery.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.

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