A St. Michael woman has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for three counts of accessory after the fact, false statements and retaliation against a witness.

Skyla Kay Cavanaugh, 23, St. Michael, pleaded guilty to the offense in October 2023, and appeared before Chief Judge Peter D. Welte in the U.S. District Court in Fargo on Monday. Welte sentenced Cavanaugh to serve three years in federal prison as well as three years of supervised release and $300 in special assessments.

Cavanaugh pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact in relation to a non-fatal shooting of a man in St. Michael in 2022, for providing a false statement to investigators during the investigation. Cavanaugh also pleaded guilty to confronting and striking a witness to the shooting several months after the fact.

“This result is reflective of the office’s commitment to public safety in Indian Country,” Schneider said. “Retaliation against people who witness crimes and tell the truth to law enforcement will not be tolerated. This sentence will serve as a strong deterrent to anyone who thinks they can use violence to evade justice.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Benson County Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob T. Rodenbiker and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Klemestrud Puhl, District of North Dakota.

Nathaniel Azure, 21, was convicted in December of last year after a seven-day jury trial on a count of assault with a dangerous weapon and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Azure was also convicted at trial for his role in a second non-fatal shooting in Fort Totten in 2021 and for a brandishing incident in St. Michael in May 2022. His sentencing is scheduled for April 16, 2024.

Michael Al-Jerome Denne, the 25-year-old brother of Azure, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, shooting and has been sentenced.

Dantae Jerome Whitetail, 23, Minnewaukan, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in the May 21, 2022, brandishing assault and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 6, 2024.