GREAT FALLS, Mont. (NMB) – James Edward Snell, Jr. appeared in United States District Court this past Thursday for a change of plea hearing. During the 32 minute hearing before Judge Brian Morris, Snell pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated sexual abuse and agreed to forfeit several pieces of property.
The count Snell pleaded guilty to, according to court documents, involved the sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 12 at the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in September 2015. The mandatory minimum for this offense is 30 years to life of imprisonment and $250,000 fine.
The change of plea hearing came more than three months after an April 4 indictment before US Attorney Kurt Alme, where Snell was charged with seven counts of sexual exploitation of a child, five counts of aggravated sexual abuse, and two counts of abusive sexual contact. Snell was also ordered to forfeit, upon conviction – his tablet, cell phone and four SD cards the court believed were used to commit and promote the offenses.
Snell remains in custody. His sentencing hearing is set for October 24.
