A woman from Hays, Montana, has pleaded guilty to strangulation following an incident on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Rochelle Lynn Jones, 37, entered her plea to one count of strangulation before Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris.
According to court documents, the event occurred on June 10, 2024. Jones and another woman identified as Jane Doe had consumed alcohol and became involved in an argument. During the altercation, Jones choked Jane Doe, who reported being unable to breathe and briefly lost consciousness. Two witnesses observed the incident and intervened to stop the assault before contacting law enforcement.
Jones faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for December 17, 2025. She remains detained while awaiting further proceedings.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Hendricks is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services led the investigation.
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