Belcourt, N.D., man sentenced on sexual abuse of a ward charge

U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Tuesday, Judson P. Elk, 37, of Belcourt, N.D., was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland on a charge of sexual abuse of a ward.

Elk pleaded guilty to the charge on July 19.

Hovland sentenced Elk to time served, to be followed by five years of

supervised release. Elk will participate in five months of home confinement without electronic monitoring. Elk was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund and must register as a sex offender.

In August 2009 Elk was employed as a corrections officer at the Bureau of Indian Affairs Detention Center in Belcourt. During his working hours, Elk engaged in a sexual act with an inmate at the detention center. The activity was discovered when the inmate’s cellmate came forward with information about the event.

The case was investigated by the BIA Professional Standards Division and BIA - Turtle Mountain Agency.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Volk prosecuted the case.

Tags: daily updates, sexual abuse, north dakota, news, crime