Assault sends Crow Agency man to prison

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Montana
15 August 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BILLINGS—Crow Agency resident Ralph Kenneth Costa was sentenced today to two years in prison and three years of supervised release after he admitted to assault charges for dragging the victim with his vehicle, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Costa, 34, pleaded guilty in April to assault resulting in substantial injury to a dating partner.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

The prosecution said in court records that the assault occurred on July 4, 2017 as Costa and the victim were driving from Dunmore, on the Crow Indian Reservation, to Hardin. Both were intoxicated. During the trip, Costa got angry with the victim and began hitting her in the head. The victim asked Costa to pull over so she could get out. Costa pulled over on a concrete bridge, and as the victim got out, Costa pulled forward, knocking down the victim. Costa then backed up, pulling the victim under the open door and dragging her on the concrete. A witness who was behind Costa’s vehicle took the victim to the hospital. The victim suffered cuts, abrasions and road rash.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Godfrey prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.