New Town Man Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter Charges

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of North Dakota
December 17, 2010

BISMARCK—United States Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on December 16, 2010, Gabriel I. Black Hawk, 33, of New Town, North Dakota, pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland to two counts of involuntary manslaughter.

On February 12, 2010, Black Hawk was the driver of a vehicle traveling westbound on North Dakota Highway 23 a few miles west of New Town. At the time, Black Hawk was under the influence of intoxicating liquor and had not been taking prescribed medication for a seizure disorder. Black Hawk’s vehicle collided with an eastbound vehicle carrying two occupants, both of whom were killed as a result of injuries they sustained in the motor vehicle collision. Following the crash, a blood sample was drawn from Black Hawk, which was analyzed by the North Dakota State Toxicology Lab. Black Hawk’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.26%

Each charge of involuntary manslaughter carries a statutory maximum penalty of eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs - Fort Berthold Agency, Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department and North Dakota Highway Patrol.

Sentencing for Black Hawk has been scheduled for February 24, 2011, in United States District Court in Bismarck, North Dakota, at 3:30 p.m.

Assistant United States Attorney Rick Volk is prosecuting the case.