ND man pleads guilty to involuntary manslaughter

A New Town, N.D., man pleaded guilty today to involuntary manslaughter in U.S. District Court.

Merrill J. Mann II, 37, was the driver of a 2004 Chevrolet pickup traveling northbound on BIA Route 2 west of New Town. At the time, Mann was under the influence of intoxicating liquor, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Mann stopped his vehicle at a stop sign at the intersection with N.D. Highway 23 for a prolonged period of time. He pulled his vehicle into the intersection when a 2003 Dodge Caravan was headed westbound on

Highway 23 carrying several passengers. Mann’s vehicle and the van collided.

An 84-year-old passenger in the van was killed as a result of injuries sustained in the collision.

The charge of involuntary manslaughter carries a statutory maximum penalty

of eight years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Fort Berthold Agency, the Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department and the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

Sentencing for Mann has been scheduled for 10 a.m. May 31 in U.S. District

Court in Bismarck.

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