ND man sentenced to federal prison for involuntary manslaughter

A Belcourt, N.D., man has been sentenced to four years and nine months in federal prison on a charge of involuntary manslaughter, U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon said.

Koleman J. Gourneau, 30, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland. He pleaded guilty to the charge on Sept. 24, 2012.

Gourneau will be on supervised release for three years after his release from prison. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Vcitim’s Fund.

On Oct. 12, 2011, authorities said Gourneau left Betty’s Bar, located west of Belcourt on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, driving his Ford Bronco. At the time, Gourneau was under the influence of intoxicating liquor. Shortly after leaving the bar, Gourneau’s vehicle struck a person, causing significant injuries to her which resulted in her death.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs - Turtle Mountain Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the N.D. Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the N.D. Highway Patrol.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandi Sasse Russell prosecuted the case.

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