MINOT, ND (KXNET) — A 34-year-old Minot man, Troy Sanders, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the attempted murder of an adult and a child, stemming from a violent incident in September 2024.
According to court documents, Sanders attacked both victims but they survived. He faced two counts of attempted murder alongside six felony and one misdemeanor charges.
Under a plea agreement announced Thursday, Sanders was sentenced as follows:
Count 1: 20 years for attempted murder of the adult, all suspended, with 5 years probation to be served.
Count 2: 20 years for attempted murder of the child, with 10 years suspended.
Overall, Sanders will serve 10 years in prison followed by 5 years probation. The other charges were dropped as part of the deal. He must serve at least 85% of the prison term.
Upon release, Sanders is required to register as an offender against children, avoid contact with victims and witnesses, and is barred from employment in liquor establishments or positions such as teaching, coaching, or self-defense instruction.
Judge Douglas Mattson, who is retired but oversaw the case, noted Sanders showed no remorse during the pre-sentence investigation, attributing his actions to mental health issues and alcohol use on the day of the attack.
Ward County State’s Attorney Rozanna Larson acknowledged the sentence was relatively light but emphasized that the victims did not want to testify at trial.
Sanders is currently serving a one-year sentence for assaulting a correctional officer, with the 10-year sentence to begin after his current term ends in September. Violating probation terms could lead to the reinstatement of the suspended 30 years.
