United States Attorney, Deborah Gilg, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced the following information for the attention of the media:
A federal jury has found Anthony Whitewater, 24, and Marcus Blackhawk, 27, guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. Whitewater was also convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
In the early morning hours of May 2, 2016, Whitewater and Blackhawk, both enrolled members of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, attended a party at the residence of another enrolled member in Winnebago, Nebraska. While at the party, Whitewater became involved in a conflict with an enrolled member of the Omaha Nation Indian Tribe. The conflict resulted in Whitewater being punched in the face and receiving a bloody nose. Whitewater was kicked out of the party and vowed to return. Believing that the person with whom he had had the conflict was traveling in the vehicle of other Omaha Nation Tribe members, Whitewater, while being driven in a vehicle operated by his brother, Marcus Blackhawk, began a high speed chase of the other vehicle while shooting at that other vehicle. The fleeing vehicle was hit by Whitewater seven times. Fortunately, neither of the occupants of the fleeing vehicle were hit.
Whitewater was prohibited from possessing firearms as a consequence of prior felony convictions. Judge Laurie Smith Camp set sentencing for Jan. 23, 2017.
Whitewater and Blackhawk are both subject to sentencing of up to 10 years on the assault charge to be followed by not less than 10 years consecutive on the use of a firearm during a crime of violence. Whitewater is also subject to 10 years on his felon in possession conviction.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
