Bentley Watts Jr., a 22-year-old man from Towaoc, Colorado, has been sentenced to 87 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for assaulting his former intimate partner on the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation. Watts Jr. pleaded 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.
The assault occurred on June 15, 2024, when Watts Jr. dragged the victim to his bedroom, punched her multiple times, placed her in a chokehold, sexually assaulted her, and struck her with a crowbar. At the time of the attack, a domestic violence protection order from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Court prohibited him from contacting the victim.
United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly said, "This is a just sentence for a terrible crime. Seeking justice for victims of violent crimes in our tribal communities is a critical priority." FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Amanda Koldjeski added, "Violence on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation like that perpetrated by this defendant will always bring a quick response from the FBI."
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Ute Mountain Ute Agency and the FBI Durango Resident Agency, with Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Franceware handling the prosecution.