Whitehorse Ducharme, also known as Stanley Ducharme, 51, Huntsville, Alabama, has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing a child from Belcourt for about eight years.

Ducharme’s sentence was handed down by Chief Judge Peter D. Welte in U.S. District Court in Fargo on Thursday, after Ducharme pleaded guilty to abusing a child, beginning when the child was 3 years old and continuing until the child was 11.

“The Court reasonably sentenced this individual to life in prison based upon the facts, and that sentence ensures he will never abuse another child,” United States Attorney Mac Schneider said, “This result is a testament to the courage of those who stepped forward to put an end to this abuse. It is also a credit to the professionalism of our law enforcement partners and career prosecutors who helped obtain a measure of justice in this case.”

The abuse took place on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Northern Plain’s Children’s Advocacy center.

“The FBI is fully committed to combating the sexual abuse and exploitation of children,” said Michal Krause, acting special agent in charge with the FBI. “This life sentence sends a clear message to those who target kids — we will find you and hold you accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”