Fort Totten Man Gets Nearly 6 Years for Assault

FORT TOTTEN, N.D. (trfnews.i234.me) — A Fort Totten man will spend nearly six years in federal prison after an assault conviction.

Eric Herbert Hunt was sentenced Monday to 71 months in federal prison.

He pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

Hunt will also serve three years of supervised release after leaving prison.

He was ordered to pay $4,268.72 in restitution to North Dakota Health and Human Services.

Assault Happened On Spirit Lake Reservation

The case came from a May 2025 incident on the Spirit Lake Reservation.

TRF News previously reported that Hunt brought the woman to his basement on May 8, 2025.

According to previous reporting, Hunt told the woman she could not leave until her bruises healed.

He also threatened to beat her if she moved.

The woman reported that Hunt carried out that threat during the ordeal.

Eric Herbert Hunt

She eventually escaped and reached the Spirit Lake Tribal Headquarters.

Staff members there called for emergency help.

Medical records showed the woman suffered serious injuries during the assault.

Her left eye was swollen completely shut when she received medical care.

She also needed a cervical collar during treatment.

The injuries became a key part of the federal assault case against Hunt.

Hunt later pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

Chief U.S. District Judge Peter D. Welte imposed the 71-month prison sentence Monday.

The sentence equals five years and 11 months in federal prison.

Hunt will remain under federal supervision for another three years after completing that sentence.

The restitution order requires Hunt to repay $4,268.72 to the state health agency.

The Spirit Lake Nation is centered around Fort Totten in northeastern North Dakota.

Federal courts can handle certain serious crimes committed within Indian Country.

Hunt’s guilty plea brought the federal assault case to the sentencing stage.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.