Southeast Montana News

A Box Elder man has admitted to assaulting a woman with a knife during an argument on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, according to U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich.

The defendant, Colten Tyrone Small, also known as Colton Swan, 24, pleaded guilty to charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Small faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for each charge.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided over the case. The court will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is scheduled for January 29, 2025. Small remains detained pending further proceedings.

According to court documents, the government alleged that in the early morning hours of May 3, 2023, Small punched the victim, identified as Jane Doe, while holding a butcher knife at a residence in Box Elder on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation. A witness reported that Small sliced Doe’s face during the altercation. The argument escalated until Small cut Doe's face and was subsequently beaten by the witness. There was fentanyl and alcohol use involved at the time of the incident. Doe received treatment for facial injuries at Northern Montana Hospital.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is handling prosecution of this case. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.

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