Lame Deer man sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for assault, firearms crimes after high-speed chase, shootout with officers on Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation

DOJ Press

BILLINGS — A Lame Deer man was sentenced today to 17 years and four months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for multiple crimes after he led law enforcement on a high-speed chase that ended in a shootout when he shot at officers, who returned fire, wounding him on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Antoine Robert Threefingers, 37, was convicted by a jury on Sept. 17, 2021, of assault on a federal officer, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

In court documents and at trial, the government presented evidence that on Sept. 1, 2020, a Bureau of Indian Affairs police officer, identified as John Doe 1, attempted a routine traffic stop of Threefingers. Threefingers stopped initially but then fled as Doe 1 approached, engaging officers in a 25-minute, high-speed chase with speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour on dirt roads and Highway 212. Three additional BIA officers and a Rosebud County Sheriff’s deputy joined the pursuit.


While driving, Threefingers pulled out a gun and put it to his head before turning it on law enforcement. Threefingers fired a shot at Doe 1 and continued driving. Threefingers eventually led law enforcement to a dirt road near Birney, where he stopped his vehicle and exchanged gunfire with Doe 1. Another BIA officer later exchanged gun fire with Threefingers. Other officers nearby described Threefingers’ shots sailing over their heads but did not return fire.


Threefingers then ran from his car while continuing to shoot at law enforcement. Officers shot Threefingers, who fell to the ground and continued firing. Officers approached and detained Threefingers, who was transported to the hospital and treated for injuries. Law enforcement recovered a Colt .45-caliber pistol and multiple casings near Threefingers.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs.

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