Logan Quinn Sandau Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Montana
November 14, 2012

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on November 13, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, Logan Quinn Sandau, a 24-year-old resident of Poplar and an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe, pled guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Sentencing has been set for February 19, 2013. He is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura B. Weiss and Ryan G. Weldon, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On June 9, 2012, Sandau struck J.W.S. with his car outside a residence on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. The victim suffered multiple leg fractures and a torn ACL and underwent orthopedic and skin grafting procedures.

The victim was with his brother the day of the offense. They arrived at their cousin’s house. Words were exchanged between Sandau and the victim, resulting in Sandau threatening to kill the victim. The victim then began punching Sandau. Sandau fell and then jumped up and ran to the driver’s side of his vehicle. He hopped in and accelerated around the house. The victim did not chase him. Sandau began driving down the alley toward the victim, who was standing near the house. Sandau first slowed down when he approached and then suddenly hit the gas and struck the victim, pinning him against the house. Several eye witnesses saw this event transpire and identified Sandau as the driver.

The victim suffered multiple injuries, including several leg fractures, a torn ACL, cut tendons requiring surgery, and skin grafts.

Sandau 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, the Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation Division, and the Poplar Police Department.