Fort Totten (trfnews.i234.me) — A Spirit Lake Reservation man has pleaded guilty in federal court after an assault that seriously injured a woman in February.
Plea Entered In Federal Court
Dasan Nike Cavanaugh entered a guilty plea in U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota on December 8.
The plea agreement covers one count of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury. The charge is filed under Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 113(a)(7).
By pleading guilty, Cavanaugh admits that his actions caused significant injury to the victim. He will be sentenced at a later date.
Details Of The February Assault
Court records say the assault happened on February 15, 2025.
It took place outside a home in Fort Totten on the Spirit Lake Reservation.
Cavanaugh assaulted a woman identified in records only as Jane Doe. He punched her with his hands and fists.
He also struck her head against the frame of a parked vehicle, according to the documents.
The attack caused a cut and swelling on the victim’s face.
She also suffered bruising and a small hematoma on her forehead.
Both Cavanaugh and the victim are enrolled members of the Spirit Lake Tribe.
Possible Prison Time And Fines
Cavanaugh faces up to five years in federal prison. He also faces a possible fine of up to $250,000.
The plea agreement calls for three years of supervised release after prison. He also agreed to pay a $100 special assessment to the federal court.
The agreement says Cavanaugh will owe restitution. He must pay $1,693.38 to Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. More restitution could be ordered before sentencing.
Under federal sentencing rules, the base offense level is set at 7. The level is raised by four steps because the victim suffered substantial bodily injury.
The U.S. Sentencing Commission publishes those guidelines for federal judges.
Other Case And Sentencing Plans
The plea deal says the U.S. Attorney’s Office for North Dakota will ask for a sentence at the low end of the guideline range.
The agreement also mentions a separate federal case from 2022.
Any sentence in that case is expected to run consecutively to this new sentence.
A sentencing date has not yet been set. Cavanaugh remains presumed innocent of any other charges unless proven guilty in court.
Victims in federal cases can learn more about their rights through the Crime Victims’ Rights Ombudsman.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
