MTIP is thrilled to share that last Friday, June 21st, Judge Linneweber dismissed our client Joseph Jefferson-Dust’s criminal case, upon the prosecution’s motion.
Joseph Jefferson-Dust was wrongfully convicted of Criminal Endangerment in 2017 following a false accusation. A nine-year-old girl (who we refer to as “K” to protect her identity) accused Joe of inappropriately touching her. K knew Joe because he was in a relationship with one of her family members at the time. Joe was charged with Sexual Assault of a Minor, which carries a possible 100-year prison sentence. As many innocent people facing lengthy prison sentences do, Joe took a plea deal. In exchange for pleading no contest to Criminal Endangerment, he was sentenced to 10 years, all suspended.
Three years later, K walked into the Billings Office of the Public Defender and recanted the entire accusation. She told an investigator that she made up the accusation at the direction of her father, who she knew did not like Native Americans. Joe is an enrolled member of the Crow Tribe who had no criminal history aside from his wrongful conviction.
After taking K’s recantation, the investigator said he would alert the prosecutor and Joe’s defense attorney. He brought it to the attention of the Regional Manager of the Billings Office of the Public Defender and Joseph’s trial counsel. Nothing came of it for over a year.
Joe became a Montana Innocence Project client in 2022 following the recantation of his accuser.
He was released from jail in August 2022, and MTIP spent the next year fighting for the dismissal of the underlying criminal matter. In an incredible turn of events, Yellowstone County Prosecutor Sarah Hyde acted swiftly upon recognizing the lack of evidence and moved the Court to vacate the conviction.
On July 28th, 2023, Joe appeared before Judge Brett Linneweber who relieved him from all duties of his sentence, and indicated that he would vacate the conviction.
“A lot of things were highly restricted before I was relieved of my probation,” said Joe. “I had to keep away from certain family members for years, because they had kids…Now, I am just trying to make up for the time I lost with them.”
On February 14th, 2024, Judge Linneweber set aside the judgments against Joe and ordered a new trial.
Over the last several months, Joe has carried feelings of anxiety and fear in anticipation of the Court’s decision to move forward with a new trial or to exonerate him.
“I was trying to do my best to keep myself calm, but as time grew closer to the court dates, I couldn’t help but feel nervous,” said Joe. “All of the worst case scenarios just kept running through my mind.”
Photos of MTIP client Joseph Jefferson-Dust reuniting with family and beginning his healing journey after wrongful conviction.
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Jefferson-Dust)
For Joe, the news of his exoneration last Friday was the piece of hope he’s been holding onto for years.
“My immediate reaction was just a huge sense of relief,” said Joe. “The first thing I did was call my mom and she was just so happy for me…I’ve been praying a lot lately, so I just kept thanking God for answering my prayer.”
Joe is excited to move forward in rebuilding his life and pursuing his passions.
“The difference I feel when I wake up now, is that I feel like I have a future. A future that’s my own making,” said Joe. “Before I was afraid to want to commit to anything, because if I started something I would never be able to finish.”
Prior to his wrongful conviction, Joe was a Navy veteran hoping to pursue a career as an artist when a false accusation upended his life.
Today, Joe works at an auto detailing and design shop in Billings, where he is able to pursue his love for art and work towards learning new skills.
Joe is currently working towards the goal of opening his own shop one day to do vinyl wrapping and painting on vehicles.
“I am happy with the type of work I’ve gotten into,” said Joe. “I’m just trying to learn everything I can at this job so that I can use those skills to start my own business.”
Along with the goals he has made for his career, Joe is also looking forward to traveling and spending time with his family.
“My dad lives in France, and he told me that once we got this all cleared up, that he wants me to come over and visit,” said Joe. “So I am really looking forward to seeing him.”
Joe reflected on his nine-year fight for justice stating that, “None of this would have been possible without the help of the Montana Innocence Project. They have not only helped me with my case, but they’ve also helped me to just feel like a person again…I am so grateful for all they’ve done for me.”
On this new journey to rebuilding his life after wrongful conviction, Joe’s message to others facing similar challenges is that, “Wrongful convictions are painful, long and hard, but as long as you know the truth, you can never give up.”
MTIP looks forward to sharing the exciting new steps in Joe’s reentry journey. Your support of MTIP means giving people like Joe the ability to reunite with their families and communities, and a chance to rebuild their lives. With your support, we will continue doing this necessary work in our community and across Montana.
Click here to learn more about Joe and his innocence case, and follow MTIP on social media @BigSkyInnocence for more updates on Joe’s reentry journey!