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Date: 07-19-2019
Case Style:
United States of America v. Wambli Mills
Case Number: 1:18-cr-00415-REB-JMC-1
Judge: Robert E. Blackburn
Court: United States District Court for the District of Colorado (La Plata County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Peter Andrew McNeilly, Jeffrey Kane Graves, Riley Josh Player
Defendant's Attorney: Thomas Roney Williamson
Description:
Durango, CO - Ute Mountain Ute Man Found Guilty of Rape
Wambli Mills, age 23, of Towaoc, Colorado, was found guilty of federal sexual assault charges following a four-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Blackburn. Mills appeared at trial in custody and was remanded at the trial’s conclusion.
Mills was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 11, 2018, for one count of Sexual Abuse of an Incapable Victim and one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse within the exterior boundaries of the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation, in Towaoc, Colorado. According to court documents, as well as facts presented during trial, Mills used physical force to sexually assault an intoxicated friend at a relative’s house. The victim escaped and made an immediate report to the police. Law enforcement located Mills hiding in a nearby field with the victim’s leggings wrapped around his neck and the victim’s underwear on his person. DNA testing conducted by the FBI showed the victim’s DNA on the interior of Mills’ underwear.
Mills faces up to life in prison. He has also been indicted in a separate case for Attempted Murder of a Federal Officer related to an incident from April 8, 2018. That case is pending.
“Sexual violence on the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “Our office is committed to prosecuting anyone who commits sexual assault within Indian Country. Wambli Mills thought he could get away with a brutal assault. He was wrong.”
This case was investigated by Bureau of Indian Affairs with support from the FBI.
Charges:
18 U.S.C. §§ 1153 & 2242(2)-Sexual Abuse Committed Within Indian Country
(1)
18 U.S.C. §§ 1153 & 2241(a)(1)-Aggravated Sexual Abuse Committed Within Indian Country
(2)
Outcome: 07/16/2019 93 COURTROOM MINUTES for Jury Trial - Day 2 as to Wambli Mills held before Judge Robert E. Blackburn on 7/16/2019. ORDERED: Under Federal Rule of Evidence 615, except for the defendant, advisory witnesses, and witnesses granted exemption from sequestration, all other witnesses who may testify during this trial are excluded from the courtroom and shall not discuss their testimony with anyone except for counsel, pending further order of the Court.
Evidence entered. Trial continued. Defendant remanded. Court Reporter: Julie Thomas. (lrobe) (Entered: 07/16/2019)
07/16/2019 94 Objection to Defendant's Motion for Mistrial by USA as to Wambli Mills (Graves, Jeffrey) (Entered: 07/16/2019)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: