Department of Justice

BISMARCK - United States Attorney Drew Wrigley announced that a federal grand jury has indicted Leoncio Amuia Bald Eagle, age 28, Fort Yates, ND, for False Statement in Connection with Acquisition of a Firearm. The Indictment was unsealed today alleging that on March 12, 2019, Bald Eagle unlawfully acquired a firearm by falsifying an ATF form 4473. The federal indictment alleges that Bald Eagle falsely claimed he had never been convicted of a crime of Domestic Violence, when in fact he had been convicted in tribal court of a Domestic Violence crime on November 4, 2017.

“Anyone convicted of domestic violence is barred from purchasing or possessing firearms, which is a wise public safety law,” said United States Attorney Drew Wrigley, “and we are working collaboratively all across the state and region to keep firearms out of the hands of these violent individuals.”

Grand jury Indictments are allegations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), and the Mobridge Police Department/NPSTDETF and the case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s office, with Assistant United States Attorney Brandi Sasse Russell assigned to the case.

On the very same day that the federal grand jury indicted Bald Eagle, they also indicted the following five additional cases alleging various federal firearms offenses:

• A 43 year old Bismarck, ND male was indicted for being a felon illegally in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 USC 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2)
• A 25 year old Mandan, ND male was indicted for being a felon illegally in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 USC 922(g)(1) and possession of a firearm with obliterated serial number 922(k)
• A 32 Year old Mandan, ND male was indicted for being a felon illegally in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 USC 922(g)(1) and possession with the intent to distribute heroin, USC 841(a)(1)
• A 34 year old Detroit, MI male was indicted for being a felon illegally in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 USC 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2)
• A 36 year old Palermo, ND male was indicted for being a felon illegally in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 USC 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2)

These defendants are all being prosecuted pursuant to the Department of Justice anti-violent priorities, and a renewed focus on gun crimes in North Dakota, as well as nationally. United States Attorney Wrigley credits the ATF, FBI, BIA, North Dakota Sheriffs and Police Departments, and BCI for their cooperative efforts to combat and deter violent crime across the region.

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