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.
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.
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.
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.
At Yellowstone Law, we are dedicated to holding all responsible parties accountable. This case highlights several critical issues:
We believe this case may help establish important precedents for institutional accountability in cases of child sexual abuse, particularly within religious organizations.
As this case progresses through the legal system, our firm remains committed to fighting for the rights of these survivors. We understand that no legal victory can undo the trauma they have experienced, but we believe that holding all responsible parties accountable is an essential step toward healing and preventing future abuse.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse in an institutional setting, please know that you are not alone, and legal options may be available. Our compassionate team at Yellowstone Law is here to help.
For more information on this case or to schedule a confidential consultation, please contact our office.
At Colton Holm Law Firm, we look forward to learning how we can help you resolve your legal concern.Call us today: (406) 259-9986