Federal Judge in Marquette, MI said it is the worst case of tribal domestic violence he has seen in 30 years on federal bench – Man who beat girlfriend gets 5 years in federal prison

The worst tribal domestic violence case in 30 years on the bench: Federal judge sends Hannahville girlfriend beater to prison for 5 years

Peter Meshigaud (right) of the Hannahville Indian Community in Wilson, MI. is pictured being escorted from court and back to jail by U.S. Marshals.

Photos/video by Greg Peterson/Upper Peninsula Breaking News Call 1-906-204-2549

The worst tribal domestic violence case in 30 years on the bench: Federal judge sends Hannahville girlfriend beater to prison for 5 years

(Marquette, MI) – A federal on Thursday called it the worst case of tribal domestic violence he’s seen in nearly three decades on the court.

U.S. District Court Judge R. Allan Edgar then sentenced 23-year-old Peter Meshigaud of the Hannahville Indian Community in Wilson, MI to five years (60 months) in prison followed by three years of supervised release for the severe beating of his girlfriend on October 19, 2013 at their home on the Indian reservation.

Judge Edgar said it was the worst case of domestic violence “in my 29 years in the bench” and noted Meshigaud has an “explosive disorder.”

Meshigaud was jealous, “out of control” and suspected his girlfriend of cheating on him – and that led to the beating, both sides agreed.

During sentencing, Meshigaud was in leg irons and surrounded by U.S. Marshals while he stood before the judge.

“We don’t want him exploding,” the judge said. “He needs a cooling off period.”

The attacked occurred against Meshigaud’s girlfriend on the Hannahville Indian reservation.

The victim, whose name we are withholding, gave a mixed message when addressing the court.

“I live in fear,” she said but quickly added “I forgive him.”

The judge was concerned about “veiled threats” in a letter Meshigaud sent the victim while in jail.

The letter said “he has eyes and ears everywhere – and that if she is dating someone else its going to be bad,”the judge said.

“He’s a walking crime wave,” the judge said of Meshigaud who has numerous domestic violence convictions. “He doesn’t seem to understand.  I don’t think he’s gotten the point yet.”

The prosecutor painted Meshigaud as a man with “a violent history.”

Meshigaud “beat the victim with his fists,” said Asst. U.S. Attorney Hannah Bobee, U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan

. “She had to trick him to escape out a bedroom window.”

“She thought he (Meshigaud) was going to kill her,” said Prosecutor Bobee, who is Native American and an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Meshigaud has a reputation for fighting with police, fellow inmates, disobeying court orders and has past convictions in tribal and state courts for aggravated domestic violence, assault and battery, and destruction of property, Judge Edgar said.

Four of his convictions occurred in tribal court, the judge said.

Edgar said Meshigaud’s actions are “nothing short of horrendous.”

“He has learned absolutely nothing” from past court appearances, Judge Edgar said adding its an “extraordinary case” that shows the need for “upward” departure from mandatory federal sentencing guidelines.

“I feel remorse and I am ashamed of myself,” Meshigaud told the judge adding he has already served 271 in county jail.

Blaming some of his behavior on a drinking problem, Meshigaud told the judge he will work on being more kind and respectful.

Defense Attorney Paul Peterson tried hard to convince Judge Edgar that Meshigaud is young enough to change his ways but admitted “he’s never had a wake up call … he’s getting one now.”

Peterson said Meshigaud is offering “no excuses” for hitting his girlfriend and pulling her hair.

Meshigaud “felt she was cheating,” Peterson said adding his client has an “explosive disorder” and “drinking issues”

Peterson is the Assistant Federal Public Defender at the Marquette Branch of the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Western District of Michigan

Meshigaud was ordered to undergo 500 hours of drug treatment and domestic violence treatment. He was ordered to pay $1,160 in restitution to the Hannahville Indian Community Housing Department .

Related links:

Federal Judge R. Allan Edgar
U.S. District Court Judge R. Allan Edgar
U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
http://www.miwd.uscourts.gov/content/judge-r-allan-edgar

Federal Prosecutors:

Asst. U.S. Attorney Hannah Bobee
She is native American and and an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
http://www.rosettelaw.com/attorney-bio-bobee.html
http://www.justice.gov/dea/divisions/det/2013/det061913.shtml
http://www.leadershipdirectories.com/profiles/Hannah-Bobee-Assistant-US-Attorney-Marquette-%28MI%29-Office-.htm

Asst. U.S. Attorney Maarten Vermaat
http://www.justice.gov/usao/miw/news/2012/2012_0525_VProtasoff.html
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/07/12/attorney-actor-john-stamos-fling-year-old-student/

Paul Peterson is the Assistant Federal Public Defender working out of the Marquette Branch of the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Western District of Michigan
http://www.westmichigandefender.org/defenderContact/Paul_Peterson_Assistant_Federal_Public_Defender.php