Belcourt woman sentenced to federal prison for child abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon, and malicious mischief

Fargo - United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced that Rhawnie Marcellais, age 42, from Belcourt, ND, appeared in federal court on November 13, 2024 before District Court Judge Peter Welte and was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, $300 in special assessment fees, and ordered to pay restitution totaling $1302 for the offenses of child abuse in Indian country, assault with a dangerous weapon, and malicious mischief.

As noted in court documents, on or about January 1, 2021, law enforcement in Belcourt, ND was notified of a minor female at the police department requesting to speak with officers. The minor female stated she got into an argument with her mother, the defendant. The minor female departed the police department shortly thereafter after being picked up by her father. A few hours later, the same minor female went to the emergency room in Belcourt, ND indicating she had been assaulted by her mother including Defendant throwing an empty beer bottle at the minor female which struck the minor female in the neck and shoulder. Defendant then pushed a pillow into the minor female's face. Injuries were noted on the minor female consistent with her description of the incident. In September 2022, a video emerged depicting the incident as described by the minor victim. The video was provided to Turtle Mountain Child Welfare who in turn provide the video to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

During the course of the investigation of the child abuse, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was made aware of Defendant assaulting an adult female in January 2023. Defendant assaulted the adult female by kicking the adult female's face, chest, ribs, and arms while the adult female was on the ground. Medical records indicated the adult female suffered fractured ribs and a concussion.

On June 28, 2024, after a four-day jury trial, Defendant Rhawnie Marcellais was convicted of child abuse in Indian Country, assault with a dangerous weapon, and malicious mischief. That same day, Defendant requested contact with the minor female victim, alleging that concerns of witness tampering were no longer present. District Court Judge Peter Welte denied the motion for contact. Despite, the Court's order, Defendant contacted the minor female victim while incarcerated.

"The United States Attorney's Office is committed to public safety in Indian county, especially when it comes to protecting kids," Schneider said. "As this sentence shows, child abuse is a serious crime. The career prosecutors who skillfully tried this case and our partners in the FBI and BIA who investigated it deserve credit for providing accountability and ensuring justice was served."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dawn M. Deitz and SheraLynn Ternes.

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