Rocky Boy man sentenced on child molestation

Vern Thomas Gardipee of Rocky Boy will spend 30 months in prison followed by 30 years probation as a result of his pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a young girl.

U.S. Chief District Court Judge Dana Christensen sentenced Gardipee, 49, in U.S District Court in Great Falls.

Gardipee previously pleaded guilty to the charge of sexual abuse of a minor.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a press release that on April 27 and 28, 2012, Gardipee got into bed with a young girl and sexually assaulted her.