Cudgel Faces Six Felony Charges
Demille O’Neal Cudgel made not guilty pleas to six felony charges in district court on Wednesday, Nov. 10.
Cudgel is facing six felony charges including four counts of criminal child endangerment. The other charges are criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute (fentanyl) and use or possession of property subject to criminal forfeiture.
According to court documents, the Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice and the Bureau of Indian Affairs utilized a search warrant at a residence at about 6 a.m. on Nov. 2. Upon entering the residence, law enforcement identified Cudgel, and he was advised that he was going to be placed in hand restraints and detained.
Upon a search of the master bedroom, a firearm was located on the TV stand in the master bedroom. An adult female and a fivemonth old were also in the master bedroom. There were three other children, ages 2-6, inside the residence.
Officers located a yellow bag containing $8,820 in U.S. currency. The money bag also held a packet of greenish- blueish pills with the letter “M” and one side and the number “30” on the other side. The pills were suspected to be fentanyl. There were also two other pills identified as oxycodone.
During the district court hearing, defense attorney Christopher White requested a bail reduction from $200,000 to $5,000 or $10,000. Judge David J. Cybulski reduced the bail ton $125,000.
An omnibus hearing was scheduled for Dec. 15. A trial was scheduled for Feb. 17.
