A Browning man, William Alvin Potts, was found guilty of attempted strangulation and assault on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The verdict was delivered by a federal jury after a one-and-a-half-day trial. U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced the outcome.
Potts, 62, faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided over the trial and will determine the sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is scheduled for October 8, 2025. Until then, Potts remains released under certain conditions.
Court documents revealed that on June 28, 2024, Potts assaulted Jane Doe following a verbal argument that escalated into violence. During the incident, Potts allegedly grabbed Doe by the neck and pushed her backward into a corner before both fell to the ground where he struck her with his fists. A witness intervened to stop the assault. Jane Doe sustained significant injuries including a spinal fracture and sought medical treatment at Browning Community Hospital.
Potts admitted to pushing Doe during an interview with law enforcement but denied striking her.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley and investigated by the FBI along with Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched a strategy in May 2021 to enhance PSN's effectiveness by fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
For further details about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit Justice.gov/PSN.
