BISMARCK - U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on May 31, 2013, Merrill J. Mann II, 37, New Town, N.D., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland on a charge of involuntary manslaughter. Mann pleaded guilty to the charge on Feb. 20, 2013.
Judge Hovland sentenced Mann to serve eight years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Mann was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund and $15,179 in restitution.
On April 20, 2012, Mann was the driver of a 2004 Chevrolet pickup traveling northbound on BIA Route 2 west of New Town. At the time, Mann was under the influence of intoxicating liquor. Mann stopped his vehicle at a stop sign at the intersection with N.D. Highway 23 for a prolonged period of time. Mann pulled his vehicle into the intersection when a 2003 Dodge Caravan was headed westbound on Highway 23 carrying several passengers. Mann’s vehicle and the van collided. An 84-year-old passenger in the van was killed as a result of injuries sustained in the collision.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs - Fort Berthold Agency, the Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department, and the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Volk prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
