More Montana Men Facing Prison for Assaulting Women

Warning: Article contains unsettling details.  Reader discretion is advised.

The U.S. Attorney's Office recently announced the names of three men facing years in prison for assault and abuse to women on the Montana Indian Reservations.

Attack with a Butcher Knife

Colten Tyrone Small, aka Colton Swan, plead guilty to assault charges after slicing a woman's face with a kitchen knife.  This occurred in May 2023 on the Rocky Boy Reservation.  An alcohol and fentanyl fueled argument escalated in front of a witness, when Small hit and then cut the lady.  The witness jumped to the woman's defense and beat upon Small.

Strangulation with a Belt

August 2023, Blackfeet Reservation.  Briar Joseph Crawford and the unidentified woman argued on the road from Twin Lakes.  Crawford had beat upon the lady, then wrapped his belt around her neck and lifted her off the round by that belt.  She passed out.  He admitted to the crime.

Both Small and Crawford are in their 20s and face up to 10 years in prison and a quarter million in fines.

Four Years for Shooting at Two Women

Back in May 2021 on the Fort Belknap Reservation, Gilbert Raymond Martinez threw a woman to the ground, kicked her in the ribs, then fired a 9mm handgun at her.  When a second woman tried to assist the first, Martinez fired upon her.  He had plead guilty three years later and has just been sentenced to four years and two months.

Some Advice for the Guys

I had given my 2-cents worth to the ladies before; now to address the guys.

Discussions may get heated and turn into arguments.  Yet we all know the line is at physical violence.  The instant you attack her is the instant you have committed a crime.  You have stepped on the road to prison.  Was the disagreement worth the time sentenced?

Before going over the line, please just stop the bickering and table the argument for later.  Walk away from her; and Ladies, let him walk.  Give it some time to cool down and think.  Only then can a peaceful, and law-abiding, resolution be made.

Benjamin Franklin maybe said it best in Poor Richard's Almanac: a wise man learns from other's harm; a fool from his own.

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