Weapon Recovered In Triple Murder Case
The Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice announces that officers recovered a Smith and Wesson 9 mm pistol that was believed to be used in the shooting of three suspects in Poplar. The recovery of the weapon occurred at about 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
On Sunday, Sept. 14, at approximately 4 a.m., the Fort Peck Tribal police officers received information from the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office that a male had confessed to shooting and killing his wife, his stepson and the stepson’s girlfriend at a residence in Poplar. The male was identified as 73-yearold Michael Littlebull, an enrolled member of the Fort Peck Tribes.
Fort Peck Tribal police officers responded to a residence in Poplar to investigate the information. After receiving no response at the residence, tribal police officers received and executed a search warrant to enter the residence. Once inside the residence, tribal police officers located 65-year-old Earlene Jones, 41-year-old Matthew Black Thunder and 35-year-old Winona Longee deceased inside the residence. All three victims appeared to have been shot at least one time at close range with a small caliber bullet.
Littlebull appeared on Wednesday, Sept. 17, in federal court, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Ackerman, a/k/a Michael J. Littlebull, appeared on a complaint alleging he committed three counts of second-degree murder. Second-degree murder carries maximum penalties of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. The affidavit in support of the complaint alleges an individual called the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 14, to report Ackerman admitted killing three people in Poplar. Deputies interviewed Ackerman and he said on Sept. 11, he was using methamphetamine with the three victims, believed they were “setting him up” and shot and killed them with his Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley is prosecuting the case. The investigation is being conducted by the FBI, the Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice and the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office.
