Browning man admits assault in burning woman with hot knife on Blackfeet Indian Reservation

GREAT FALLS - A Browning man accused of burning a woman on the hand with a hot knife in a residence on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation admitted to an assault charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Dale Ray Racine, 32, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Racine faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

A plea agreement in the case calls for a sentence of between 41 months and 51 months in prison 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 Jan. 30, 2025. Racine remained detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that in the early morning hours of Feb. 14, Racine was drinking at a residence in Browning. The victim, Jane Doe, also was present. At some point, Racine placed a green knife in a wood stove until it was red hot. Racine removed the knife from the fire and burned Doe with it. Doe reported to law enforcement and medical providers that Racine was trying to brand her neck. Doe held up her hand to stop the branding, at which point Racine intentionally burned her hand. Doe was treated for second-degree burns to her hand.

The U.S. Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case. The Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and FBI, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, investigated the case.

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