From the Courts: Havre man sentenced for domestic assault on Fort Belknap Reservation

From the Office of The U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana

GREAT FALLS — A Havre man convicted of domestic assault after breaking his girlfriend’s nose during an argument on Fort Belknap Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 54 months in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

James John Russell McConnell, 44, pleaded guilty in September to domestic assault by habitual offender.

U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided and ordered the 54-month sentence be served consecutively to a seven month sentence imposed in a revocation after McConnell violated conditions while on supervised release for a previous conviction.

The prosecution said in court records that McConnell, who has three previous convictions for domestic assault, assaulted his girlfriend June 23, 2018, in Hays by bear-hugging her to where it was painful and hard to breathe. He also verbally threatened her. The victim was treated for a broken nose at the Northern Montana Hospital.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Fort Belknap law enforcement and the FBI.