Federal prosecutors announced that 58-year-old Rigoberto Mendez-Morales of Mandaree has been charged in U.S. District Court with second-degree murder for the death of a woman at the SkyDancer Casino and Resort on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation.
Court documents allege the incident happened Jan. 10 in a hotel room connected to the casino. Mendez-Morales called 911 at 6:07 a.m. saying he found the woman unresponsive, according to an FBI affidavit. When Rolette County Sheriff’s deputies arrived, they reportedly found Mendez-Morales with blood on his clothing and a multi-tool with what appeared to be blood and hair consistent with the victim’s.
Investigators say they reviewed video evidence which placed only Mendez-Morales and the victim in the room prior to officers’ arrival, and the FBI affidavit states the victim was stabbed multiple times. Mendez-Morales allegedly claimed he could not recall how he got blood on his clothes or returned to the room.
The case is now being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs assisting. Mendez-Morales faces a potential life sentence if convicted on the federal murder charge. He was already facing local charges before the federal additions.
Comments