Fort Totten man sentenced for sexual abuse of teenager

U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley announced at about 5 p.m. today that Galen Jerry Robertson of Fort Totten, N.D., was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Ralph R. Erickson on charges of aggravated

sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact.

Robertson, 32, was found guilty by a 12-person jury on Nov. 6, 2008, of

sexually abusing a 17-year-old female and using force in an attempt to have her engage in a sexual act with him. The incident occurred on Sept. 16, 2007, on the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation.

Robertson and another male individual, who were both acquainted with the girl,took her to a rural area. All three had been drinking alcohol. They entered an old school bus that had been converted into a camper, where Robertson forcibly removed the girl’s pants and underwear in an attempt to engage in a sexual act with her. The girl struggled and screamed for him to stop. She was able to get Robertson to stop and he took her

home shortly thereafter.

The girl was taken to Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake for an examination. DNA

analysis revealed Robertson’s DNA found on the girl’s underwear.

Erickson sentenced Robertson to 12 years’ imprisonment, followed by five

years of supervised release. Robertson was ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Crime Victim's Fund.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Fort Totten Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Shasky prosecuted the case.

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