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Show Setting a good example UINTAH BASIN A basin resident was recently sentenced in Federal District Court as a result of an incident which occurred last year at the Hill Top Lounge. An enrolled tribal member, Stuart Wissiup of Ft. Duchesne was sentenced on Jan. 10 in district court to 19 years and seven months' incarceration. The case was heard before District Judge David K. Winder in Salt Lake City. Wissiup was convicted for attempted rape and assault, resulting in serious bodily injury. His convicted felony crimes were heard in federal fed-eral court because they were committed on a federal reservation. The incident apparently occurred on June 10, 1990 at the Hill Top Lounge at 1:10 a.m. Uintah County Sheriff Deputy Gerald Cook was driving past the loungs when he reportedly noticed something suspicious going on in the parking lot The victim, in her report to the officer, stated that as she was walking walk-ing toward her car, Wissiup suddenly appeared by the door of the car, then attempted to rape her. The victim struggled and yelled for help. Wissiup subsequently physically assaulted the victim. The victim sustained severe bruises to the head and face and also had several teeth knocked out The victim was also a Basin resident. According to officers from the FBI in Vernal, Wissiup received a stiff prison sentence due to a previous record. FBI officer Mike McPheters commented on the sentence handed down by Judge Winder to Wissiup. "I hope this will be an example to everyone, that the FBI will pursue sexual abuse cases vigorously, in an attempt to protect innocent people. |