New Town Man Sentenced for Assaulting Girlfriend

BISMARCK - United States Attorney Drew H. Wrigley announced that on July 21, 2008, Dale Hall, 40, of New Town, North Dakota, was sentenced to two years in federal prison before United States District Court Chief Judge Daniel L. Hovland for assaulting his girlfriend causing a fractured jaw. The woman’s jaw required surgery and was wired shut for six weeks.

Judge Hovland sentenced Hall to serve two years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Hall was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim's Fund. Hall was further ordered to complete substance abuse treatment, anger management and batterers’ treatment. The applicable sentencing guideline range called for a sentencing range of 21 to 27 months.

The offense occurred in the early morning hours of November 15, 2007, at the couple’s home in New Town. Hall arrived at the home intoxicated, and an argument began over each person’s whereabouts during the course of the night. During the argument, Hall began to choke the woman, then he struck her in the head and face with his hands, fists, and elbow. When the woman began to bleed, Hall demanded that she clean herself up. The woman sought medical treatment later that day.

Hall pled guilty on April 29, 2008, in a plea agreement, to the charge of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

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

Assistant United States Attorney Rick Volk prosecuted the case

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