Lodge Grass man admits strangling girlfriend

BILLINGS – A Lodge Grass man today admitted strangled his girlfriend during an assault last year at her residence on the Crow Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Augustus Christopher Wolfblack, also known as Augustus Christopher Flatmouth, 19, pleaded guilty to assault by strangulation of a dating partner. Wolfblack faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. Wolfblack was released pending further proceedings.

In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said Wolfblack assaulted the victim on Sept. 15, 2019 at her residence in Lodge Grass. Wolfblack struck the victim with his fists, put her in a headlock and strangled her. After the assault, Wolfblack left and the victim sought help from relatives. Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officers interviewed the victim, who was treated at the Indian Health Service in Crow Agency for injuries. When interviewed, Wolfblack initially denied assaulting the victim except to say he grabbed her arm after she hit him in the head. After being pressed, Wolfblack admitted he had hit the victim with his fists, pushed and shoved her and held her up against a wall by putting his hand around her neck, although he claimed that he did not squeeze her neck.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Suek is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.