A man from the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana was sentenced to 57 months for being a habitual domestic violence offender.

Aldin Ray Two Moons Sr., 37, has four tribal court convictions for domestic violence. Federal prosecutors cited them in seeking a harsher punishment for beating his common-law wife.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the use of tribal court convictions in a decision last month. Montana is part of the 10th Circuit.

Get the Story:
Wife-beater gets 5 years in prison (The Billings Gazette 8/11)
Press Release: ALDIN RAY TWO MOONS, SR. SENTENCED IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT (US Attorney 8/10)

10th Circuit Decision:
US v. Shavanaux (July 26, 2011)

8th Circuit Decision:
US v. Cavanaugh (July 6, 2011)

Related Stories:
10th Circuit revives domestic violence charge against Ute man (8/3)
10th Circuit allows use of tribal court conviction in federal court (7/27)
8th Circuit accepts tribal court convictions for federal prosecution (7/7)