Hardin woman admits biting BIA officer on Crow Indian Reservation

BILLINGS - A Hardin woman accused of biting a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer on the arm while law enforcement was attempting to arrest her during a disturbance on the Crow Indian Reservation admitted to an assault charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Chrystal Joann Stewart, 36, pleaded guilty to assault on a federal officer. Stewart faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Stewart was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that on April 29, 2023, a BIA officer, identified as Jane Doe, responded to a call in Crow Agency about Stewart causing a disturbance at a residence. Stewart had knocked on the door, and residents let Stewart inside, where she collapsed and was unresponsive. The residents shook Stewart awake and it was obvious that Stewart was high. The residents called 911 because Stewart was scaring the children in the home.

Although communicating with Stewart was difficult because she was high, Officer Jane Doe convinced Stewart to leave the house. After Stewart walked out of the house, one of the residents told the officers that Stewart had grabbed a knife from the kitchen and put in her purse. Another officer had responded to assist Officer Jane Doe and saw the knife sticking out of Stewart's purse. Stewart resisted and pulled away from the officer when he tried to grab her arm to take away the purse. Stewart repeatedly refused instructions to stop resisting and tried to get away by kicking and screaming at the officers. The officers ultimately tased Stewart, who continued to resist. Stewart then lunged at one of the officers and tried to run back into the residence. Officer Jane Doe was able to get one handcuff on Stewart, but Stewart then turned and bit the officer on the upper right arm. Stewart would not release the bite. Finally, with the help of emergency medial responders, the officers were able to get a second handcuff on Stewart and she released the bite. Officer Jane Doe was treated at the Indian Health Service for the bite injury, which broke the skin.

The U.S. Attorney's Office if prosecuting the case the case. The BIA conducted the investigation.

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