At Yellowstone Law, we believe that every survivor deserves justice, especially those who have endured unimaginable trauma at the hands of trusted authority figures. That’s why we are honored that our firm, alongside Doggett Law Offices, is representing seven brave survivors in a significant civil lawsuit against former Lame Deer pastor Dean Smith and several organizations complicit in enabling his abuse.
The Case Against Dean Smith and Others
On March 25, 2025, Yellowstone Law filed a comprehensive lawsuit in the Montana Thirteenth Judicial District Court on behalf of survivors and their guardians. The lawsuit names not only Dean Smith, who was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in federal prison last year for sexual abuse of minors, but also his wife Keli Smith, Morning Star Baptist Church, the Montana Southern Baptist Convention, and Youthworks, a faith-based organization that facilitates mission trips. This case is particularly significant as it seeks to hold accountable not just the perpetrator, but also the institutions that allegedly failed to protect vulnerable children despite having knowledge of the ongoing abuse.A Pattern of Institutional Negligence
Our investigation has revealed deeply troubling allegations of institutional negligence. Staff at Youthworks received credible reports about Smith’s abuse of children as early as 2016, yet the organization continued its partnership with him and allegedly failed to report these allegations to law enforcement. Similarly, the lawsuit alleges that both the Montana Southern Baptist Convention and Morning Star Baptist Church failed in their duty to properly vet, supervise, and monitor Smith, despite being organizations entrusted with the care and spiritual guidance of community members, including vulnerable children.The Courage of Survivors
As noted by attorney Shane Colton, “People need to recognize that for young Native American women to come forward and assist in the prosecution of a white person that was in a position of authority, that takes an enormous amount of courage.” The survivors in this case, many of whom were minors at the time of the abuse, have demonstrated remarkable bravery in coming forward. Their courage is even more significant given the disproportionately high rates of sexual violence faced by Indigenous women in the United States.Our Commitment to Justice
At Yellowstone Law, we are dedicated to holding all responsible parties accountable. This case highlights several critical issues:- The duty of religious and community organizations to properly screen potential leaders
- The legal obligation to report suspected child abuse
- The responsibility of institutions to prioritize the safety of children over their reputations
- The particular vulnerability of Native American children in institutional settings