Man Who Assaulted College Student Gets 12 Years

BUTTE, Mont. (AP) — A 29-year-old Butte man who pleaded guilty to assaulting a female student at Montana Tech has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

The Montana Standard reports Brandon Curry was sentenced Thursday by District Judge Brad Newman. The judge said Curry must successfully complete chemical dependency treatment before he is eligible for parole.

Newman told Curry a long incarceration was needed because Curry had a long criminal history, several probation violations and a refusal to address his chemical dependency issues.

Curry pleaded guilty in March to felony assault with a weapon for the January 2011 attack. The woman said Curry pushed her into the library bathroom, threatened her with a knife and punched her.

She escaped and Curry fled.

He was arrested near Laramie, Wyo.