Crow Agency Woman Admits to Misleading Federal Agents

Micah Taryn Faith LaForge, a 24-year-old woman from Crow Agency, has pleaded guilty to making false statements to federal law enforcement, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced today. LaForge faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

Court to Decide Sentence After Guidelines Review

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters is presiding over the case and will decide LaForge’s sentence after reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors. A sentencing date has not yet been set. LaForge was released pending further court proceedings.

Alleged False Statements About Gunshot Victim’s Location

According to court documents, the government alleges that on January 18, 2023, a gunshot victim arrived at the emergency room at the IHS Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital in Crow Agency. The victim was pronounced dead upon arrival. The victim was transported in a vehicle driven by LaForge.

LaForge allegedly told medical staff and a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Special Agent at the hospital, and later an FBI Special Agent and another BIA Special Agent, that she was driving between Crow Agency and Dunmore when she found the gunshot victim lying in the road. She claimed she stopped, loaded the victim into the passenger seat, and drove directly to the hospital.

Contradicting Evidence at Alleged Location

LaForge then allegedly traveled with a BIA Special Agent to the location where she claimed she found the victim. However, the agent observed no evidence, such as blood, shell casings, or signs of a struggle, that would support her story. The victim had actually been shot at a house on Crow River Road.

Admission of Falsehood and Impact on Investigation

The day after giving the initial statement, LaForge contacted law enforcement and admitted she had lied. Her false claim about the victim’s location delayed the investigation for more than 15 hours because investigators were focused on the wrong location. This delay prevented timely evidence collection at the actual shooting site. The firearm used in the shooting was never recovered.

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Case Prosecuted by U.S. Attorney’s Office; FBI and BIA Investigated

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus is prosecuting the case. The FBI and BIA led the investigation into the incident.

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