Source: Office of United States Attorneys
GREAT FALLS — A Dodson man who admitted to an assault charge stemming from a vehicle crash in which his truck hit another vehicle, seriously injuring the other driver, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
The defendant, Marvin James Cole, 28, pleaded guilty in October 2023 to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged that on June 22, 2022, Cole crashed his GMC truck into a Dodge Avenger driven by the victim, identified as John Doe, on Highway 66 near Harlem, on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Doe suffered serious injuries and ultimately was treated at a hospital in Seattle. A toxicology report showed amphetamine and methamphetamine in Cole’s blood. Cole agreed that he likely drifted into the other lane when he looked at his phone.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI, Fort Belknap Law Enforcement, Montana Highway Patrol and Phillips County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.
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