A Northern Cheyenne tribal woman is being praised by attorneys for pursuing a case against a BIA officer, and proving that those living on the reservation have the same rights as those who don’t.
Montana’s highest court has ruled that the U.S. Bureau Of Indian Affairs can be held responsible for damages awarded to a Northern Cheyenne tribal woman, who became pregnant after she was coerced into having sex with an on-duty BIA officer, who threatened her with criminal charges.
The incident happened in 2015 on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation.
The victim was originally awarded $1.6 million to be paid by the now former officer, who was also given a 3-year federal prison sentence.
In the original ruling, a district court judge said the BIA could not be held responsible for paying because under Federal law, the incident was outside of the scope of the officer’s duties.
The Montana Supreme Court ruled that the BIA can be held responsible under state law.
The case has been referred back to district court, to determine how much the BIA can be held accountable for.
The BIA has not commented on the case.
The woman is not identified in public court documents, because she was the victim of a sex crime.
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Last modified: August 26, 2022