A Harlem man has pleaded guilty to charges of sexual abuse on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, as announced by U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme. Ross Vincent Dale, aged 26, admitted guilt to one count of sexual abuse and now faces potential penalties that include life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and supervised release ranging from five years to a lifetime.
Chief U.S. District Court Judge Brian M. Morris presided over the case and will determine the final sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines along with other statutory factors. The sentencing date is set for November 5, 2025. Until then, Dale remains in custody.
Court documents revealed that in January 2022, Jane Doe underwent a sexual assault examination at Benefis in Great Falls following allegations against Dale concerning an incident on New Year's Eve or early New Year's Day between 2021 and 2022.
During this period, Doe resided with her grandmother who had traveled to Wolf Point with Doe's aunt on New Year’s Eve, leaving Doe alone at home. Dale contacted her that evening and brought alcohol to her house. A video recorded by Doe showed both drinking together before she reportedly passed out and later awoke to find herself being assaulted by Dale.
Despite his claims of being in Billings with his children on New Year’s Eve, DNA testing confirmed the presence of Dale's DNA in Doe's underwear extracted from semen found there.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Myers handled the prosecution while investigations were carried out by the FBI alongside Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services.
