Lee Garrick McMillan, a 31-year-old resident of Pearl River, has been sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and for being a Habitual Offender of Domestic Violence, as announced by U.S. Attorney Todd Gee and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Court documents reveal that McMillan admitted to assaulting his wife in the Pearl River Community of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians on May 20, 2023. The assault resulted in fractured ribs for his wife, marking the third such incident of domestic violence perpetrated by McMillan against an intimate partner.

The Choctaw Police Department, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, investigated the incident. Evidence gathered by both agencies led to McMillan’s arrest and subsequent federal charges.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin J. Payne and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian K. Burns handled the case’s prosecution. The sentencing underscores the commitment to addressing domestic violence cases in tribal communities and holding habitual offenders accountable for their actions.

Domestic violence remains a significant concern within Native American communities, particularly on Indian reservations. According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, American Indian women residing on reservations experience domestic violence and physical assault at rates higher than women of other ethnicities and locations.

The collaborative efforts of federal and tribal law enforcement agencies, as demonstrated in this case, aim to address domestic violence and protect victims within the Choctaw community.