DURANGO – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced that Bentley Watts Jr., 22, Towaoc, Colorado, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to one count of assault with intent to commit abusive sexual contact in Indian Country and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country.According to the plea agreement, on June 15, 2024, Watts Jr. assaulted his former intimate partner within the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation. Watts Jr. dragged the victim to his bedroom, punched her multiple times, placed the victim in a chokehold, sexually assaulted her, and hit her with a crowbar. At the time of the assault, Watts Jr. had a domestic violence protection order from Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Court that prohibited him from contacting the victim.
“This is a just sentence for a terrible crime,” said United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly. “Seeking justice for victims of violent crimes in our tribal communities is a critical priority for the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Colorado.”“Violence on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation like that perpetrated by this defendant will always bring a quick response from the FBI,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Amanda Koldjeski. “We will continue to hold those responsible for violent crimes on tribal lands accountable.” United States District Court Judge Gordon P.
Gallagher presided over the sentencing.The Bureau of Indian Affairs-Ute Mountain Ute Agency and the FBI Durango Resident Agency conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Franceware handled the prosecution of the case. Case Number: 1:24-cr-00230-GPG-JMC