Theodore Edward Whitford Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Montana
May 10, 2013

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls on May 9, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, Theodore Edward Whitford, a 27-year-old resident of Box Elder and an enrolled member of the federally recognized Chippewa Cree Indian Tribe, pled guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Sentencing has been set for August 15, 2013. He is currently detained.

In an offer of proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danna R. Jackson, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On April 8, 2011, Whitford turned the vehicle he was driving west into the Northern Winz Casino parking lot and was struck by another vehicle traveling north on Highway 87. This vehicle had the right-of-way.

A toxicology report indicated that Whitford had a BAC of .265 and screened positive for both opiates and THC. The crash occurred within the exterior boundaries of the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.

As a result of the crash, a passenger in the other vehicle was seriously injured. The passenger was diagnosed with a hip fracture and required hospitalization.

Whitford faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hill County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rocky Boy’s Police Department.