- Details
- By Levi Rickert
A man who pretended to be an American Indian “medicine man” so that he could sexually abuse an American Indian minor was sentenced to life in prison.
Described by a federal prosecutor as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” during his trial, Carl Ortner, 57, of Quapaw, Okla. was convicted in May of sexually abusing a Native American female child and of illegally possessing eagle parts.
Want more Native News? Get the free daily newsletter today.
U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III sentenced Ortner to life in federal prison and ordered him to pay a $100,000 fine.
In 2016, Ortner began sexually abusing the minor. While some of the abuse allegedly occurred within the state of Oklahoma jurisdiction, Ortner also abused the victim on Indian land, which falls within federal jurisdiction. Further, at one point, Ortner drove the victim to Joplin, Missouri, to engage in criminal sexual activity with the minor victim. Crossing state lines to engage in illegal activity falls within federal jurisdiction.
Witnesses testified that Ortner threatened to embarrass the victim and the tribe unless she said the sexual assault did not happen. Also testifying for the government were two other women who stated that Ortner also groomed them as minors and sexually abused them.
“The victim in this case and two others bravely came forward and shined a light on Ortner’s criminal behavior,” Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson said in a press release. “Today’s life sentence sends a strong message that the sexual abuse of children will not be tolerated.”
In addition to sexually abusing the American Indian child, Ortner was found guilty of possessing feathers, talons, and heads from seven bald eagles and seven golden eagles.
A special agent with the Fish and Wildlife Service testified that investigators discovered feathers and various parts of bald and golden eagles, including heads, talons, and entire wings, at Ortner’s residence.
Ortner claimed to be a tribal citizen of various tribes, but he does not appear on any tribal enrollment documents, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma. It is illegal for non-Natives to possess parts of eagles. American Indians, who are citizens of one of the 574 federally recognized tribes are allowed to own parts of eagles.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department, FBI, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Roberts and Shannon Cozzoni prosecuted the case.
More Stories Like This
THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 230 Cheyenne & Arapaho Massacred at Sand CreekNative ‘water warriors’ took to canoes during recent Port of Tacoma protest. Here’s why
Rep. Grijalva to Hold Historic and Cultural Preservation Roundtable at Close of Native American Heritage Month
Native News Weekly (November 26, 2023): D.C. Briefs
Celebrating Native American Heritage Day
Together, we can educate, enlighten, and empower.
November is celebrated as “Native American Heritage Month.” At Native News Online, we amplify Native voices and share our relatives’ unique perspectives every day of the year. We believe every month should celebrate Native American heritage.If you appreciate our commitment to Native voices and our mission to tell stories that connect us to our roots and inspire understanding and respect, we hope you will consider making a donation this month to support our work. For those who commit to a recurring donation of $12 per month or more, or make a one-time donation of $150 or greater, we're excited to offer you a copy of our upcoming Indian Boarding School publication and access to our quarterly Founder’s Circle meetings and newsletter.
