From the Courts - Federal District Court: Man sentenced to prison for assaulting dating partner

GREAT FALLS — A man who admitted beating his dating partner on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and causing her substantial injuries was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Gordon Andrew Messerly Jr., 43, address unknown, pleaded guilty in June to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

The government alleged in court documents that Dec. 27, 2019, on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Messerly assaulted his dating partner, identified as Jane Doe, by striking her in the head. Doe was treated for injuries at the hospital.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared C. Cobell prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement.