Feds charge LaMere in Rocky Boy fire death

Mitchell LaMere of Box Elder faces federal charges in the death of Freddy Bacon and was transferred to the Hill County Detention Center Tuesday.

Hill County Detention Center Administrator James Dahl confirmed Wednesday that the transfer had taken place and LaMere would be temporarily held without bond at the detention center until he can be arrested by U.S. marshals and brought before a federal magistrate.

Dahl said LaMere faces one count each of first-degree and second-degree murder, one count of arson

and a count of felony murder rule.

Felony murder rule allows a death that happens in the course of a dangerous felony to be charged as first-degree murder.

The FBI regional office in Salt Lake City said they could not comment on the investigation.

Charging documents filed with the Chippewa Cree Tribal Court in June say LaMere intentionally set fire to a residence at 18 Indian Rock Road, where Bacon died. The documents say the cause of death was smoke inhalation.

In the documents, police allege LaMere had gotten into a fight with Justin The Boy and A.J. The Boy at the house, both of whom charging documents said were with LaMere's ex-girlfriend Taneal Sutherland at the house LaMere then left the scene before returning with a bottle of gasoline and setting the house on fire, the documents allege.

At his arraignment in Chippewa Cree Tribal Court June 27, LaMere pleaded not guilty to charges of deliberate homicide, arson, negligently endangering the life of another person, malicious mischief and disorderly conduct.

He is awaiting trial on the tribal charges. The tribal charges carry a significantly lighter sentences than the federal charges.

Tribal Court Judge Melody Whitford said at a pretrial conference Monday that LaMere also was serving a three-month sentence on a contempt charge related to a previous domestic violence charge.