The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on January 8, 2013, before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, RUDOLPH LEE SHANE, SR., a 64-year-old resident of Crow Agency, pled guilty to tampering with a victim. Sentencing has been set for April 10, 2013. He is currently released on special conditions.
In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
On Feb. 23, 2012, the Federal Bureau of Investigation received a report alleging that SHANE had harassed a victim in a pending criminal case in federal court.
On Feb. 21, 2012, SHANE had contacted the victim who described the meeting as intimidating and stated she was concerned for her safety. She believed he wanted her to "drop charges" or change her story. The victim did not initially know who he was and had no idea how SHANE knew how to find her.
On Feb. 22, SHANE called the victim's cell phone twice and left a message. In addition, SHANE's daughter contacted the victim at the request of SHANE. SHANE had also called the victim's mother earlier in the case and asked her to talk to the victim about dropping the charges.
When interviewed, SHANE admitted the contact and indicated he did so because he believed that the victim would take pity on the defendant in the case and "do the right thing." When asked what he was thinking by contacting the victim, SHANE reported that he thought if the victim withdrew her complaint or changed her mind, it would help the defendant.
SHANE faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
