WHITEFISH – A 27-year-old Big River First Nation man has pleaded guilty in Whitefish Circuit Court to his part in the abduction and murder of 36-year-old Richard Netmaker. He will be sentenced Aug. 17.
A trial was scheduled for Roderick Neil Dreaver on June 15 but he pleaded guilty instead.
Dreaver was arrested in October 2021 and charged with criminal negligence causing death, forcible confinement, assault, and weapons-related offences.
Four people were accused of abducting 36-year-old Richard Netmaker and causing his death. Karlyne Morin of Big River First Nation, Riley Ahenakew, 32, and Stephanie Ann Starblanket, 35, from Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation have been sentenced. In 2021, Morin was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison.
According to police, On Jan. 6, 2020, Netmaker was abducted from his home by four people armed with bats and machetes and assaulted on Big River First Nation. Police searched for Netmaker and their investigation determined that he was last seen in an isolated area northwest of Big River First Nation. Police found Netmaker’s body in a rural area near Pekakumew Lake on Jan. 20, 2020.
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