Source: US FBI
Fargo – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl announced that on August 5, 2025, Austin Ray Lester, age 29 of Tokio, ND, appeared in United States District Court for the District of North Dakota and was sentenced before Chief Judge Peter D. Welte to serve 33 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release including conditions. Lester had previously pled guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter and two counts of Child Neglect in Indian country, as well as Assault of a Child with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian country.
A co-defendant, Krissy Louise Hinsley was also charged in the case and pled guilty to two counts of Child Neglect in Indian country and was previously sentenced by Chief Judge Welte to a total term of 10 years in prison followed by a term of three years of supervised release including conditions.
The charges are related to their abuse and neglect of a three-year-old child the, in 2022, within the boundaries of the Spirit Lake Reservation. The neglect resulted in the child’s death.
Both defendants were also ordered to pay restitution, jointly and severally, $62,553.39 to the North Dakota Department of Human Services for amounts paid to cover the costs of medical care of the child prior to the child’s death.
“Today, Austin Ray Lester was sentenced for his role in the horrifying abuse and neglect that resulted in the death of a three-year-old child,” said FBI Minneapolis SAC Alivn M. Winston Sr. ” This sentence represents a step towards justice for the life lost, and a warning to those who endanger our most vulnerable community members. The FBI will work tirelessly with its partners to ensure that the precious children of the Spirit Lake Reservation have the opportunity to grow in a safe and secure environment.”
“This is a tragic child abuse case. This three-year-old child was the victim of fatal abuse and neglect at the hands of her caregivers, Lester and Hinsley. They left her alone at home, where she was exposed to dangerous conditions while Lester and Hinsley used narcotics. This is shameful, deliberate, and horrific conduct,” said Acting United States Attorney Puhl. “This case should serve as a reminder that we at the United States Attorney’s Office will seek lengthy sentences for those whose willful and neglectful conduct leads to the death of children.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, District of North Dakota, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori H. Conroy.
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