FARGO, ND – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl announced that on August 5, 2025, Austin Ray Lester, age 29 of Tokio, ND, appeared in United States District Court for the District of North Dakota and was sentenced before Chief Judge Peter D. Welte to serve 33 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release including conditions. Lester had previously pled guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter and two counts of Child Neglect in Indian country, as well as Assault of a Child with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian country.

A co-defendant, Krissy Louise Hinsley was also charged in the case and pled guilty to two counts of Child Neglect in Indian country and was previously sentenced by Chief Judge Welte to a total term of 10 years in prison followed by a term of t

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