(Spirit Lake Reservation, ND) — A man who’s accused of killing a teenage boy in 2021 has been convicted.
A federal jury found 36-year-old Cody Belgarde guilty of second-degree murder and arson on Monday. According to officials, Belgarde fatally shot 17-year-old Leroy Chapin to death in his home at the Spirit Lake Reservation back in January of 2021, then set the house on fire afterward.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to combating violent crime in Indian country,” U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider said. “This verdict is a credit to our career prosecutors and law enforcement partners at the FBI, BIA, and ATF who relentlessly pursued justice in this tragic case.”
His sentencing is scheduled for March 6th, and he faces up to life in prison.
