United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced that Rhawnie Marcellais, a 42-year-old resident of Belcourt, ND, was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison. The sentencing took place on November 13, 2024, before District Court Judge Peter Welte. Marcellais will also serve three years of supervised release and pay $300 in special assessment fees along with restitution amounting to $1302. The charges include child abuse in Indian country, assault with a dangerous weapon, and malicious mischief.
Court documents reveal that on January 1, 2021, law enforcement in Belcourt was informed about a minor female seeking assistance at the police department after an argument with her mother. Later, the minor went to the emergency room reporting an assault by her mother involving an empty beer bottle being thrown at her neck and shoulder. The defendant also allegedly pushed a pillow into the minor's face. Injuries consistent with these claims were observed. In September 2022, a video corroborating the victim's account surfaced and was provided to Turtle Mountain Child Welfare and subsequently to the FBI.
The investigation uncovered another incident in January 2023 where Marcellais assaulted an adult female by kicking her while she was on the ground. This resulted in fractured ribs and a concussion for the victim.
Following a four-day jury trial ending on June 28, 2024, Marcellais was convicted of all charges. She requested contact with the minor victim citing no further concerns of witness tampering; however, this request was denied by Judge Welte. Despite this order, Marcellais attempted contact while incarcerated.
"The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to public safety in Indian country," said Schneider. "As this sentence shows, child abuse is a serious crime." He commended both the career prosecutors who tried the case and investigative partners from the FBI and BIA for their roles in achieving justice.
The case involved investigations by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Indian Affairs and prosecution by Assistant United States Attorneys Dawn M. Deitz and SheraLynn Ternes.
