Former Bureau of Indian Affairs Officer Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse on Montana Reservation

A former federal law enforcement officer pleaded guilty on Thursday to sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Montana, prosecutors confirmed.

Murrell Deela, who was serving as an officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs at the time, admitted to the charges in federal court. Court documents state that in August 2024, Deela encountered the intoxicated girl at a gas station on the reservation in southern Montana. When the girl attempted to flee, Deela subdued her with a “takedown maneuver,” placed her in the back of his patrol car, and took her to an unlit park where the assault occurred, according to prosecutors.

After the assault, Deela drove the victim to her grandmother’s house. The girl reported the incident the following day, as detailed in court records.

Authorities said Deela tried to obstruct the investigation by claiming that his patrol car—equipped with video footage from the night—had been destroyed in a fire. Investigators later determined the fire was intentionally set, with Deela’s fingerprints being the only ones present on the vehicle, according to court filings.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs, which oversees law enforcement on Native American reservations nationwide, described the conduct as a profound breach of duty. FBI Special Agent in Charge Justin Gerken credited the victim’s bravery and called Deela’s actions “a betrayal of everything law enforcement stands for.”

Deela also pleaded guilty to lying to investigators. The sexual abuse charge carries a potential life sentence and a $250,000 fine; lying to investigators carries a maximum of eight years’ imprisonment. Under the terms of a plea agreement, Deela could serve a shorter sentence. A federal judge has not yet scheduled a sentencing date. The case remains open pending sentencing.