A Browning man has been sentenced to three years and two months in prison for assaulting a woman on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Briar Joseph Crawford, 29, admitted to the charges of assault with a dangerous weapon in September 2024.
The case was overseen by Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris. The court documents revealed that the incident occurred on August 6, 2023, when Crawford and the victim, identified as Jane Doe, went fishing at Glacier National Park. After consuming alcohol, an argument between them escalated into violence.
During the altercation, Crawford used his belt as a weapon by wrapping it around Doe's neck and lifting her off the ground until she lost consciousness. The prolonged attack resulted in multiple injuries for Doe.
The prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with investigative support from the FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.
U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich confirmed that following his prison term, Crawford will undergo three years of supervised release.
