Rettinger Sentenced for Stalking

BISMARCK - United States Attorney Drew H. Wrigley announced that on July 26, 2007, Gordon D. Rettinger, 53, formerly of Rollette, North Dakota, now residing in Bismarck, was sentenced before United States District Court Chief Judge Daniel L. Hovland on a charge of stalking. Rettinger pleaded guilty to the charge on December 8, 2006.

Rettinger met the victim through her employment as a card dealer at the Sky Dancer Casino, near Belcourt, North Dakota. In early 2006, Rettinger offered to take the victim to Las Vegas to seek employment. When the woman refused, Rettinger began harassing by mail and telephone, and by following and conducting surveillance of the victim at her home and at her place of employment on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation. Rettinger admitted sending letters to the Turtle Mountain Child Welfare office and to the victim’s employer with false accusations in an attempt to get her fired.

Judge Hovland sentenced Rettinger to serve four months in Federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Rettinger was ordered to pay restitution of $1,759.98 and to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim's Fund.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Indian Affairs - Turtle Mountain Agency.

Assistant United States Attorney David Hagler prosecuted the case.

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