FARGO, ND (Valley News Live) – The United States Attorney announced that a Belcourt, North Dakota woman will be headed to federal prison on multiple charges.

Rhawnie Marcellais, 42, appeared in federal court Wednesday before District Court Judge Peter Welte. He was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $300 in special assessment fees and $1,302 in restitution for a child abuse incident, assault with a dangerous weapon and malicious mischief that occurred in India County.

Court documents state that on or about January 1, 2021, law enforcement in Belcourt was notified that an underage female assigned to the police department wanted to speak with officers.

The minor woman stated that she had an argument with the defendant’s mother. The minor left the police department shortly after being picked up by her father. Several hours later, the same minor went to the emergency room in Belcourt, ND, where she stated that she had been assaulted by her mother and that the Defendant threw an empty beer bottle at the minor, which struck the minor in the neck and shoulder. The defendant then pushed a pillow into the minor woman’s face. The minor woman’s injuries were recorded consistent with her description of the incident.

In September 2022, a video emerged showing the incident as described by the underage victim. The video was given to Turtle Mountain Child Welfare, which in turn submitted it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

During the child abuse investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified that the Defendant assaulted an adult female in January 2023. The defendant attacked the adult female by kicking the adult female in the face, chest, ribs, and arms. The woman was on the ground. Medical records show the adult woman suffered broken ribs and a concussion.

Dunseith Public Schools Superintendent David Sjol confirmed that Marcellais was an English teacher at the school and was on administrative leave pending the investigation. He made the following statement when he was arrested:

“The district can confirm that it has received a report from law enforcement regarding alleged inappropriate conduct by a teacher, but we have little information at this time. The teacher will be on administrative leave pending the investigation. The district takes all reports of alleged misconduct by staff very seriously and is committed to responding to and investigating complaints.” follows applicable District policies and procedures. The District wants all staff and students to feel safe and comfortable in our educational and work environments and encourages anyone with concerns to contact a school administrator.”

On June 28, 2024, after a four-day jury trial, Defendant Rhawnie Marcellais was found guilty of child abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon, and malicious mischief in Indian Country. That same day, Defendant requested contact with the underage female victim, claiming that the concern for witness tampering no longer existed. District Court Judge Peter Welte denied the request for contact. Despite the court’s order, the Defendant contacted the underage female victim while she was in prison.

“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to public safety in Indian territory, especially when it comes to the protection of children,” Schneider said. “As this sentence shows, child abuse is a serious crime. “The career prosecutors who expertly prosecuted this case and our partners at the FBI and BIA who investigated the case deserve credit for ensuring accountability and ensuring justice was served.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dawn M. Deitz and SheraLynn Ternes.

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