Convicted Man Says Conflict Of Interest In Case

A Fort Yates man convicted in a sexual abuse case that dates back to 1997 says he should not have been prosecuted because of a conflict of interest in the U.S. attorney’s office.

A federal jury in November found Donald Luger guilty of aggravated sexual abuse by use of force. Authorities say the assault took place against a 12-year-old girl in 1997.

Luger says former U.S. Attorney Timothy Purdon represented him in a 2009 criminal case and that gave the government an unfair advantage in the sexual abuse proceedings.

Luger has not yet been sentenced.