Cut Bank man admits assaulting teen on Blackfeet Indian Reservation

GREAT FALLS - A Cut Bank man today admitted to assaulting a teenage girl and breaking her jaw in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Elijah John Bullcalf, 21, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Bullcalf faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for April 10, 2025. Bullcalf was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that on May 25, 2023, Bullcalf assaulted the victim, identified as Jane Doe, who was 17 years old, at a residence in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The two got into an argument, and Bullcalf struck Doe in the face, breaking her jaw. Doe was treated the next day for the injury. About a month after the assault, Bullcalf struck Doe again in the same part of the jaw, causing pain and bleeding. In early 2024, Doe and her mother reported the assault to law enforcement, and Bullcalf admitted to the assault.

The U.S. Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.

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