Man Sentenced for Cleaning Up Murder Scene on Crow Reservation

A Montana man who tried to clean up a murder scene on the Crow Indian Reservation has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced that 41-year-old William Robert Jay Howe Jr. will serve 70 months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release. He has also been ordered to pay more than 11,000 dollars in restitution.

Howe Admits Guilt and Faces Federal Judge

Howe pleaded guilty in August 2025 to accessory after the fact, a federal charge that applies when someone knowingly helps cover up a crime. His sentencing took place before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters.

Gunshot Victim’s ER Arrival Raises Questions

According to court documents, the case began on January 18, 2023, when a gunshot victim was brought to the emergency room in Crow Agency. The person who drove the victim to the hospital initially lied to investigators about where the victim had been found, setting off a deeper investigation into what really happened.

READ MORE: Federal Jury Convicts Billings Predator; Life Sentence Now Possible

Investigators Trace the Real Crime Scene

Days later, law enforcement learned the actual location of the shooting. After obtaining a federal search warrant for the SD card from exterior security cameras at a nearby residence, investigators uncovered footage that became central to the case.

Footage Shows Howe Attempting to Hide Evidence

The video showed the gunshot victim lying in the snow before being lifted into the vehicle that took him to the ER. Moments later, Howe and another person were seen cleaning the area where the victim had been. They used a shovel, a broom, their hands, and even their feet to move snow around, attempting to conceal evidence. The footage also showed them picking up items from the snow and, in one clip, Howe appears to take something from the scene and walk across the street with it.

Get our free mobile app

Federal Agencies Behind the Case

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case, while both the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation that ultimately led to Howe’s conviction.