Timothy J. Racicot Acting United States Attorney for the District of Montana | Wikipedia
A Poplar man has been sentenced to 85 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during a crime of violence on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana, Kurt Alme, announced the sentencing of 33-year-old Marion Wallace Runs Through, Jr.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided over the case. Court documents revealed that on November 21, 2023, Runs Through and a co-defendant traveled to a house in a remote area of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Armed with an AR-15 style rifle, Runs Through fired one round into the ground and six into the air before entering the residence with a co-defendant.
Inside, he assaulted the occupants of the home using the rifle while demanding access to a safe. Victims of the assault identified him by his distinctive face tattoos. Although Runs Through was the only armed assailant, a co-defendant was reported to have encouraged him to "Kill the white guy! Shoot him! Shoot him!" during the incident.
Law enforcement apprehended Runs Through the following day at his parents' house, where an assault rifle was discovered. The weapon had reportedly been purchased in North Dakota by a relative of a co-defendant. The investigation was led by the FBI, BIA, ATF, and the Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law & Justice.
"U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme" mentioned the importance of prosecuting those who bring violence to communities. "People deserve to feel safe in their homes," he stated.
