Evergreen Reporter

FARGO – United States Attorney Mac Schneider, District of North Dakota, announced that on June 17, 2024, Nathaniel Patrick Azure, age 21 of St. Michael, ND, appeared before Chief Judge Peter D. Welte at the U.S. District Court in Fargo, ND. Azure was sentenced to a total of 32 years in federal prison for his involvement in a series of violent incidents.

Azure's sentencing includes 60 months for three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon (to be served concurrently), 10 years for each of two counts of discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence (to be served consecutively), and seven years for one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence (also to be served consecutively). Following his imprisonment, Azure will undergo five years of supervised release and is required to pay $600 in special assessments along with $104,795.28 in restitution.

The charges stem from multiple incidents: a non-fatal shooting in Fort Totten on January 6, 2021; an assault while brandishing a firearm in St. Michael on May 21, 2022; and another non-fatal shooting in St. Michael on May 22, 2022.

Azure is the last among four defendants sentenced for these crimes. His brother Michael Al-Jerome Denne had previously pleaded guilty to his role in the January 6 incident and has been sentenced. Dantae Jerome Whitetail from Minnewaukan pleaded guilty to his involvement in the May 21 assault and has also been sentenced. Skyla Kay Cavanaugh from St. Michael admitted guilt regarding her role in the May 22 shooting and received her sentence earlier.

“This is a firm and fair sentence that will benefit public safety on Spirit Lake,” Schneider stated. “Defendants who use firearms to commit violence in tribal communities can count on becoming federal defendants in the District of North Dakota. Our office is committed to working with our tribal, federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to prosecute and deter violent crime in Indian country.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and Benson County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob T. Rodenbiker and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl.