Doney sentenced to 18 months in prison for drive-by shooting

U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Montana

GREAT FALLS  — A man who admitted to shooting into an occupied house in Fort Belknap Agency on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation was sentenced last week to 18 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Tyree Daniel Doney, 22, pleaded guilty in June to assault with a dangerous weapon.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court also ordered $3,900 restitution.

In court documents, the government alleged that Jan. 19, a man, identified as John Doe, was inside his residence with his family, including two children. John Doe heard multiple gunshots, and one bullet lodged inside his residence. John Doe feared that he or his family would be harmed from the drive-by shooting.

Law enforcement learned that Doney was in the area at the time of the shooting, and Doney ultimately admitted to firing the gunshots into John Doe’s home. Doney did so, in part, because Doney was upset about a physical fight he had with John Doe four months prior. Officers recovered 9mm casings outside John Doe’s residence, 9mm casings inside Doney’s vehicle and the 9mm firearm inside Doney’s residence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.