Wolf Point woman admits role in kidnapping and assault of minor girl on Fort Peck Indian Reservation

GREAT FALLS — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Montana), published as received.

GREAT FALLS — A Wolf Point woman suspected in the 2021 kidnapping and assault of a minor girl in Wolf Point, on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, today admitted to her role in the kidnapping, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Lavanchie Patricia Goodbird, 30, pleaded guilty to kidnapping of an individual under 18. Goodbird faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and not less than five years to a lifetime of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for April 6 and continued Goodbird’s detention.

The government alleged in court documents, that on Sept. 15, 2021 in Wolf Point, a group of individuals lured a 15-year-old girl out of her house and kidnapped her. That evening, after drinking alcohol, Goodbird drove the group to the victim’s house. Goodbird was under the impression that the group was going to the victim’s house so that one of the individuals in the group could fight the victim. The victim was lured out of the house and the situation escalated. Some of the individuals in the group assaulted the victim in her front yard. When eyewitnesses yelled that they were going to call the police, some of individuals kidnapped the victim because they wanted to continue assaulting her. Goodbird drove the vehicle and transported the victim to a vacant lot where some in group beat the victim again.

Five other codefendants have pleaded not guilty to charges and are pending trial. The codefendants are Cheri Cruz Granbois, Elmarie Amelia Weeks, Dylan Troy Jackson, Kaylee Jade Jackson and Patti Jo Annunciata Mail.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy A. Johnson is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Fort Peck Law Enforcement, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office and Wolf Point Police Department.  

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