District of South Dakota

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on May 12, 2025.

Bryant Heideman, age 25, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Heideman will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Heideman was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024. He pleaded guilty on February 12, 2025.

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred in November 2023 in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. Heideman had sexual contact with the victim, who was 12 years old, after allowing her to stay in his home between November 13 and November 14, 2024.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on May 6, 2025.

Mason Benoist, age 24, was sentenced to six years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Benoist was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2024. He pleaded guilty on February 5, 2025.

The conviction stems from Benoist receiving and possessing child pornography using his mobile phone in April 2022. Law enforcement subsequently began investigating Benoist based on CyberTips received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In May 2023, law enforcement made contact with Benoist at his residence in Eagle Butte. Benoist admitted to receiving and possessing child pornography, and a search of his electronic devices revealed child pornography. Benoist will forfeit ownership of these electronic devices to the United States.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case.

Benoist was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Parmelee, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. The sentencing took place on May 7, 2025.

Leonard Little Thunder III, a/k/a Yamni Little Thunder, age 19, was sentenced to six years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Little Thunder was indicted by a grand jury in February 2024. He pleaded guilty on February 5, 2025.

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred in November 2023 within the boundaries of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. On November 29, 2023, the victim, an adult male, was outside his residence near Mission, South Dakota, with multiple family members. Little Thunder drove past the residence multiple times before stopping and producing a short barrel shotgun. Little Thunder fired at the victim, causing a wound to the victim’s head. Little Thunder then fled the scene, but he was arrested a short time later at a residence south of Mission. The shotgun was seized as evidence, and Little Thunder will forfeit ownership of the shotgun to the United States.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.

Little Thunder was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse. The sentencing took place on May 1, 2025.

Louis James Swallow, 22, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Swallow will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Swallow was indicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Abusive Sexual Contact by a federal grand jury in February 2024. He pleaded guilty on February 10, 2025.

The case was charged after an acute disclosure of forcible sexual assault by the 13-year-old victim.  She disclosed Swallow followed her while she was walking home, grabbed her, forced her to the ground, and then raped her.  In sentencing Swallow to 20 years in prison, Judge Schreier condemned Swallow’s “frightening conduct,” noting he had also been charged in Pennington County for raping and strangling a girlfriend in 2020. Judge Schreier further recognized the trauma Swallow’s violence inflicted on the 13-year-old victim.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Swallow was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on May 5, 2025.

James Ladeaux, Jr., 35, was sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Ladeaux was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in October 2024. He pleaded guilty on February 11, 2025.

In July 2024, law enforcement observed Ladeaux driving a vehicle and failing to stop at a stop sign. When law enforcement attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Ladeaux drove off at a high rate of speed and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit ended when a tire came off the vehicle Ladeaux was driving. Ladeaux fled on foot but was ultimately apprehended by law enforcement. Officers located a firearm and ammunition in Ladeaux’s vehicle. Ladeaux was previously convicted of a felony, making it unlawful for him to possess the firearm and ammunition.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.

Ladeaux was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on May 5, 2025.

Jeremy Highhorse, 19, was sentenced to two years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Highhorse was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person and Possession of a Stolen Firearm by a federal grand jury in October 2024. He pleaded guilty on February 11, 2025.

In April 2024, law enforcement received a report of shots fired. Highhorse was the driver of a vehicle that matched descriptions of a vehicle seen speeding away after shots were fired. Law enforcement attempted to initiate a traffic stop of the vehicle Highhorse was driving. Instead of pulling over, Highhorse led law enforcement on a high-speed car chase. When the car came to a stop, Highhorse was arrested, and inside the vehicle was a firearm. Highhorse discharged this firearm that day, and he had come into possession of the firearm by stealing it. The vehicle Highhorse was driving was reported stolen by the same person he stole the firearm from. Highhorse was using controlled substances that day as well. It is unlawful to possess a firearm as an active user of controlled substances.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.

Highhorse was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on May 6, 2025.

Phil Pond, age 42, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

A federal grand jury indicted Pond in January 2024. He pleaded guilty on July 29, 2024.

From 2022 to 2024, Pond and others conspired to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine in South Dakota. Some of the co-conspirators traveled to the Denver area, and/or acquired the methamphetamine locally from Pine Ridge and Rapid City. Pond knew some of this methamphetamine he was selling would be further distributed. Evidence presented at Pond’s sentencing established that he acted as the enforcer and used intimidation, force, and threats of violence against others to acquire money to satisfy their drug debts. Pond was a leader and organizer of the conspiracy and also provided methamphetamine to a person under the age of 21.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is comprised of agents from the FBI, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, Martin Police Department, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Poppen and Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Pond was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on May 2, 2025.

Eugene Hunts Horse, age 29, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

A federal grand jury indicted Hunts Horse in May 2024. He pleaded guilty on January 17, 2025.

On February 24, 2024, the victim arrived at a residence in Wounded Knee and attempted to gain entry into the home. The victim knew the occupants of the trailer and wanted to get inside. A male from within the home assaulted the victim with a weapon and ushered him down the driveway away from the home. Hunts Horse arrived around the time the victim was being escorted down the driveway and used an object to strike the victim several times in the head and body. Hunts Horse, who believed the victim had assaulted his cousin with a hammer earlier in the evening, became enraged and developed the heat of passion necessary to take the life of another. After killing the victim, Hunts Horse learned the victim was not the person who attacked his cousin. The Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety responded to the residence and found the victim near the roadway and driveway of the residence with a large fracture to his skull. The victim was bleeding extensively from his head. The victim ultimately passed away from his head injury a short time after the officer arrived.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

Hunts Horse was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on May 6, 2025.

Stephen Biviano Zapata, age 28, was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Zapata was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2024. He pleaded guilty on January 27, 2025.

This conviction stems from a traffic stop on March 27, 2024, in Lower Brule, in the Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservation. Law enforcement was aware Zapata had an outstanding tribal arrest warrant. Upon his arrest officers searched Zapata’s person and vehicle locating three baggies containing methamphetamine, other drug paraphernalia, and an AR-style semi-automatic rifle with two magazines containing 48 rounds of ammunition. Zapata admitted to being a methamphetamine user and submitted a sample for urinalysis testing that was positive for methamphetamine. Zapata is prohibited from possessing firearms based on his drug use.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Office of Justice Services, Lower Brule Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.

Zapata was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

SIOUX FALLS – Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.
 
“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”

“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”

Those arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In South Dakota, the FBI received a Cybertip through NCMEC that Brandon Rouillard, age 31, of Evergreen, South Dakota, had engaged in sexual conversations with a local 14-year-old girl over Facebook. The FBI investigated the Cybertip and learned Rouillard requested that the 14-year-old send him sexual videos and images constituting child sexual abuse material. Rouillard received and saved the child sexual abuse material to his Facebook account. Rouillard also discussed meeting the 14-year-old for a sexual encounter. Rouillard was arrested on a criminal complaint on May 1, 2025, and his initial appearance was held before a federal magistrate judge on May 2, 2025. He was detained pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 9, 2025.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of South Dakota routinely partners with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to hold accountable those who seek to sexually exploit children through social media applications and gaming platforms,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “Whether part of a nationwide effort, a local operation, or an individual investigation, our office does not shy away from aggressively prosecuting those who use the Internet to take advantage of vulnerable youth in our communities.”

“Protecting children from exploitation is one of the FBI’s highest priorities,” said Special Agent in Charge, Alvin M. Winston Sr., of FBI Minneapolis. “Operation Restore Justice underscores the strength of our partnerships and our shared determination to bring child predators to justice. Those who exploit children should know there is no hiding place - we will find you and bring you to justice.”

In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. It is of vital importance that parents and guardians talk frequently and openly with children about responsible Internet use. It is also essential that the community understands the warning signs of cyberbullying and sextortion, including:

1. Sudden changes in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn, anxious, or secretive;
2. Abruptly deleting social media accounts or frequently creating new accounts;
3. Turning off or hiding devices in the presence of a parent or other adult;
4. Clearing their web browser cache and/or history;
5. Unexplained money or gift cards; and
6. Spending less time with friends.

This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education. These types of cases are brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.

The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.

The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.

Other online resources:

Electronic Press Kit

Violent Crimes Against Children

How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced four Pierre, South Dakota, residents convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencings took place on May 5, 2025.

Whitney Marrowbone, age 30, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

Wendy Mealer, age 49, was sentenced to six years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Brent Larvie, age 36, was sentenced to four years and six months in federal prison, followed by three of supervised release.

David Rinehart, age 33, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

All four defendants were each also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

These convictions stemmed from a drug distribution conspiracy beginning in June 2023 and continuing until September 2024.  Marrowbone, Mealer, Larvie, and Rinehart were involved in an extensive conspiracy with several other individuals to distribute methamphetamine in and around Pierre and surrounding areas. The four co-defendants received significant quantities of methamphetamine from two other co-defendants, Heather and Misty Stahlhoefer, and then further distributed it. During the course of the investigation law enforcement recovered over 550 grams of pure methamphetamine.

Heather Stahlhoefer is scheduled to be sentenced May 14, 2025, and Misty Stahlhoefer is scheduled to be sentenced July 14, 2025.

This case was investigated by the FBI North Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Pierre Police Department, the Chamberlain Police Department, and the Lyman County Sheriff’s Office.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meghan Dilges.

Marrowbone, Rinehart, Mealer, and Larvie were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of False Statement. The sentencing took place on April 25, 2025.

Marino Waters, age 32, was sentenced to time already served, five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Waters was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2024. He pleaded guilty on January 17, 2025.

On the early morning of September 15, 2022, a male drove his partially clothed girlfriend to the Indian Health Services (IHS) hospital on the Pine Ridge Reservation and dropped her off at the Emergency Department. The male did not provide his identity nor the female’s identity. The male told medical personnel that a firearm went off while they were engaged in intimate relations and that she had been shot accidentally.

Law enforcement identified and located the male at his residence several hours later. The male was cleaning the crime scene and sent text messages to the female claiming the shooting was an accident. A search of the residence was conducted. Law enforcement was unable to locate the handgun that the male claimed was used in the shooting. The male was arrested and eventually charged with second degree murder, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. A digital surveillance system that recorded traffic to the male’s house was seized by law enforcement.

After reviewing the footage, law enforcement identified a vehicle that appeared at the male’s residence shortly after midnight and just before the female was brought to IHS. After several months, law enforcement was able to identify the driver of the vehicle as Marino Waters, and the passenger as Clayton Fire Thunder. The investigation revealed that Waters drove Fire Thunder to the male’s residence just east of Pine Ridge two times on the morning of September 15, 2022. Fire Thunder intended on selling a firearm to the male in exchange for cash and/or methamphetamine. The male did not answer the door when Fire Thunder knocked, and unexpectedly, Fire Thunder discharged one round from the firearm into the residence. The round ended up penetrating the siding, backboard, and drywall of the residence and struck and killed the male’s girlfriend, a 27- year-old female.

When Waters was interviewed by the FBI in March of 2023, he gave a false statement and said that neither he nor Fire Thunder had a firearm when the shooting occurred when he knew that Fire Thunder did in fact possess one at the time. Fire Thunder was tried for the death of the female in January 2025. The jury found Fire Thunder guilty of the shooting death of the 27-year-old female.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

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RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Porcupine, South Dakota, man convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter and two counts of False Statement. The sentencing took place on April 25, 2025.

Clayton Fire Thunder, age 40, was sentenced to a total of eight years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $300 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

A federal grand jury indicted Fire Thunder in May 2024. He was found guilty following a federal jury trial in Rapid City, South Dakota, in January of 2025.

On the early morning of September 15, 2022, a male drove his partially clothed girlfriend to Indian Health Services (IHS) hospital on the Pine Ridge Reservation and dropped her off at the Emergency Department. The male did not provide his identity nor the female’s identity. The male told medical personnel that a firearm went off while they were engaged in intimate relations and that she had been shot accidentally.

Law enforcement identified and located the male at his residence several hours later. The male was cleaning the crime scene and sent text messages to the female’s relative’s claiming the shooting was an accident. A search of the residence was conducted. Law enforcement was unable to locate the handgun that the male claimed was used in the shooting. The male was arrested and eventually charged with second degree murder, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. A digital surveillance system that recorded traffic to the male’s house was seized by law enforcement.

After reviewing the footage, law enforcement identified a vehicle that appeared at the male’s residence shortly after midnight and just before the female was brought to IHS. After several months, law enforcement was able to identify the driver of the vehicle as Marino Waters and the passenger as Clayton Fire Thunder. The investigation revealed that Waters drove Fire Thunder to the male’s residence just east of Pine Ridge two times on the morning of September 15, 2022. Fire Thunder intended on selling a firearm to the male in exchange for cash and/or methamphetamine. The male did not answer the door when Fire Thunder knocked, and unexpectedly, Fire Thunder discharged one round from the firearm into the residence. The round ended up penetrating the siding, backboard, and drywall of the residence and struck and killed the male’s girlfriend, a 27-year-old female.

When Fire Thunder was interviewed by the FBI in March of 2023, he gave a false statement and said that he did not have a firearm when the shooting occurred. Fire Thunder admitted to being at the residence and told law enforcement that he was inquiring with the male homeowner about a junked car at 4:00 o’clock in the morning. Fire Thunder was reinterviewed again in October 2023. Fire Thunder continued to deny that he possessed a firearm during the shooting death of the female and this time said that he was inquiring about a flatbed at 4:00 o’clock.

Seventeen witnesses and over 200 exhibits were introduced at Fire Thunder trial establishing that Fire Thunder possessed and discharged a firearm on the morning of September 15, 2022, that resulted in the death of a 27-year-old female. The jury found Fire Thunder guilty of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of false statement.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

Fire Thunder was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced an Allen, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Misty Hornbeck, age 50, was sentenced on May 5, 2025, to 11 years and three months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Hornbeck was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2024, and pleaded guilty on February 27, 2025.

Hornbeck’s conviction stemmed from the large-scale distribution of methamphetamine on the Pine Ridge Reservation and in Rapid City, South Dakota. Hornbeck, who resided in Colorado during the conspiracy, supplied methamphetamine to her codefendants through her sources in Colorado. Hornbeck’s codefendants then transported the methamphetamine into South Dakota. Once the methamphetamine was in South Dakota, it would be further distributed by multiple individuals, including Hornbeck’s co-defendants Nathan Tobacco-Clifford, Milo Shot With Arrow, and others. Between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine was distributed during the course of this criminal conspiracy.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is comprised of agents from the FBI, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, Martin Police Department, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.

Hornbeck was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following sentencing. 

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RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Mexican man convicted of Illegal Reentry after Deportation. The sentencing took place on April 29, 2025.

Elver Cerecedo-Tellez, 30, was sentenced to time served and ordered to be removed from the United States.

Cerecedo-Tellez was indicted for Illegal Reentry after Deportation by a federal grand jury in February 2025. He pleaded guilty on March 21, 2025.

Cerecedo-Tellez is a non-citizen of the United States and a Mexican national. Cerecedo-Tellez was deported from the United States to Mexico in 2018 and was found back in the United States in May of 2024. Reentering the United States after deportation is a felony.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.

Cerecedo-Tellez was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Marty, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Kidnapping. The sentencing took place on April 25, 2025.

Ellery Zephier, age 39, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200, and restitution in the amount of $22,260.

Zephier was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2024. Following his trial in January, he was found guilty. The conviction stemmed from incidents between July 20-25, 2024, when Zephier kidnapped and held a woman against her will in his home in Marty and assaulted her resulting in the infliction of serious bodily injury.

This matter is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Yankton Sioux Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paige Petersen and Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.

Zephier was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Porcupine, South Dakota, man convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm. The sentencing took place on April 25, 2025.

McKenzie Big Crow, age 20, was sentenced to a total of 12 years in federal prison for Involuntary Manslaughter, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Big Crow was also ordered to pay $300 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

A federal grand jury indicted Big Crow in June 2024. In January 2025, he was found guilty following a federal jury trial.

On August 20, 2023, near Porcupine, Big Crow was illegally in possession of a Savage Arms Model 62, semiautomatic rifle. The barrel had been sawed off, and the defendant had taped components of an Airsoft rifle to the gun to make it appear like an AK-47. Big Crow claimed he put the rifle in a backpack and that the gun discharged when he bumped the bag against a door. The gunshot struck 19-year-old Ashton Provost in the chest, killing her and her unborn child within minutes. The gun was later found hidden under Big Crow’s bed. On the day of the shooting, Big Crow had drugs in his system including marijuana, cocaine, MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) and methamphetamine.

“We commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of South Dakota for its decision to pursue charges under the Unborn Victims of Violence Act — recognizing the value of every life lost as a result of this crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of the FBI Minneapolis. “This case highlights our shared commitment to justice for the most vulnerable and to holding violent offenders accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.

Big Crow was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

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PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted two New Town, North Dakota, men with Credit Union Robbery.

A federal grand jury indicted Jason Cook, age 40, and Conrad DeMarce, age 37, in April 2025. They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 21, 2025, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

On April 8, 2025, Cook and DeMarce are alleged to have taken money from the Black Hills Federal Credit Union in Eagle Butte by force, violence, and intimidation.

The charge is merely an accusation and Cook and DeMarce are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen is prosecuting the case. 

Cook and DeMarce were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has been scheduled for June 30, 2025.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a St. Francis, South Dakota, man convicted of two counts of Larceny. The sentencing took place on April 22, 2025.

Larry White Lance, age 29 was sentenced to seven years and six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

White Lance was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2023. He pleaded guilty on January 29, 2025.

The conviction stems from White Lance breaking into a home in St. Francis in June 2022 and steeling a tool chest, tools, and other property.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.

White Lance was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on April 14, 2025.

Sylvan Larrabee, age 32, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Larrabee was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in November 2024. He pleaded guilty on January 15, 2025.

Larrabee was required to register as a sex offender and to update his registration within three business days of relocation or changing employment due to a federal sex offense conviction. After updating his registration to an address in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, on May 15, 2024, Larrabee moved to Rapid City, South Dakota, in June 2024 and failed to update his registration. Larrabee’s whereabouts were unknown until he was arrested in Rapid City on July 15, 2024.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case.

Larrabee was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Chadron, Nebraska, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Casey Lopez, age 51, was sentenced on April 21, 2025, to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Lopez was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2024 and pleaded guilty on January 17, 2025.

Lopez and others distributed significant amounts of methamphetamine in Pine Ridge and Rapid City.  Lopez was a leader in the conspiracy, setting prices, organizing the distribution, and enabling a Mexican cartel to gain inroads into the Pine Ridge Reservation. In sentencing Lopez, Judge Schreier denounced how Lopez’ actions severely damaged the community. Judge Schreier also noted the drugs Lopez was distributing came from Mexican cartels and constituted 100% pure methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Lopez was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following sentencing. 

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Cherry Creek, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on April 22, 2025.

Pacer Hayes, age 27, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Hayes was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2024. He pleaded guilty on January 24, 2025.

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred in November 2023 in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. On November 10, 2023, the victim agreed to give Hayes a ride from a bar after he had been drinking. After convincing the victim to let him sleep on her couch because he was locked out of his home, Hayes entered the victim’s bedroom during the night and sexually assaulted her. Hayes used his phone to photograph and video the victim’s body during the assault. The offense occurred in the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case.

Hayes was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

RAPID CITY, SD – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that a multi-agency law enforcement operation has resulted in 16 federal arrests in Rapid City, South Dakota, and within the Pine Ridge Reservation. Operation Snowy Ridge was organized by the FBI to clear outstanding warrants related to federally indicted drug trafficking cases. The operation began on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, and continued through the morning of Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

“Operation Snowy Ridge brought together vast resources from federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies for a two-day takedown of alleged drug traffickers living within the Pine Ridge Reservation and Rapid City, South Dakota,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “Thanks to law enforcement’s sophisticated planning and extraordinary collaboration, the operation accomplished its intended goal—improve public safety in tribal communities by removing individuals who drive violence and facilitate drug addiction in Indian country.”

“This operation disrupted the networks fueling violence and trafficking deadly drugs on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Through strong and sustained partnerships with our federal, state, tribal, and local counterparts, we are committed to holding violent offenders accountable and protecting our communities.”

“The success of this operation reflects the strength of our partnerships and our shared dedication to protecting the people of Pine Ridge,” said Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Chief of Police Danielle Means. “By targeting violent offenders and drug trafficking networks, this effort directly addressed the threats impacting our community. We are appreciative for the unified effort and remain committed to working together to ensure safety for our community.”

As a result of the operation, the following individuals were arrested: Echo Winters (35, Pine Ridge, SD); Esther Winters (43, Pine Ridge, SD); Garren Wilson, Sr. (42, Pine Ridge, SD); Gabriel Gibbons (52, Pine Ridge, SD); Michaela Peoples (44, Pine Ridge, SD); Reed Brown (68, Wanblee, SD); Jackie Black Bear (60, Pine Ridge, SD); Skyler Red Cloud (31, Wounded Knee, SD); Theodore Coomes, Jr., a/k/a TC (38, Pine Ridge, SD); Abe Marshall (39, Batesland, SD); Laquetta Rouillard (34, Pine Ridge, SD); Anja Little Hawk (35, Pine Ridge, SD); Lisa Mills (33, Pine Ridge, SD); Demitre Ecoffey (30, Wounded Knee, SD); Tucker Fischbach (29, Rapid City, SD); Sesalie Red Owl (41, Rapid City, SD). Federal prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney’s Office have charged each of these individuals for their involvement in various drug conspiracies.

“The combined effort of law enforcement agencies involved in this operation allowed for the removal of life-threatening substances including cocaine and methamphetamine,” Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Rafael Mattei said. “For DEA, the goal at the end of the day is to keep our communities safe from the harm associated with these drugs.”

“This operation reflects the very best of what sustained, strategic partnership between law enforcement can accomplish,” said Acting U.S. Marshal Stephen Houghtaling. “Together, we targeted those driving violence and drug trafficking on the Pine Ridge Reservation and we did so with one goal in mind—to protect the community. We are proud of the successful outcome of this operation and remain committed to the pursuit of justice.”

“This operation exemplifies the power of collaboration and the effectiveness of agencies uniting their resources toward a shared goal,” said Bureau of Indian Affairs - Office of Justice Services Deputy Bureau Director Richard “Glen” Melville. “BIA-OJS remains steadfast in its commitment to Indian Country and its mission to combat the drug crisis gripping tribal communities.” Director Melville also praised the Oglala Sioux Tribe for their unwavering dedication and partnership in this large-scale operation. “The success of this initiative is a testament to the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s willingness to work in partnership with other law enforcement agencies including FBI, DEA, US Marshal’s Service, and BIA Division of Drug Enforcement to protect their communities. Their cooperation was instrumental in making this operation possible.”

The operation was spearheaded by the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Task Force (Task Force), which is comprised of agents from the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Division of Drug Enforcement (BIA DDE), the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, and the Martin Police Department. In executing this takedown, the Task Force received critical assistance from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

Investigations are currently underway to determine if any of those arrested in this operation will be charged with additional crimes. Charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward Tarbay and Meghan Dilges.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on April 11, 2025.

Dakota Jolley, age 28, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Jolley was indicted on the possession charge in February 2024, and he pleaded guilty on January 8, 2025.

In November 2023, the defendant got into an argument with his spouse, who was holding the couple’s small child. During the argument, the defendant initially threatened to hit his spouse and small child with a belt. The defendant then obtained a loaded Springfield Armory, model 1911, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, threatened to kill his spouse, and held the loaded firearm to her head on several occasions while she worked to protect their child. Jolley is prohibited from possessing firearms due to several prior felony conviction.   

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.

Jolley was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Kyle, South Dakota, convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on April 10, 2025.

Jeremy Red Owl, 29, was sentenced to two years and nine months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release on each count. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently. Red Owl was also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and restitution to the family of the victim.

Red Owl was indicted for Involuntary Manslaughter and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in November of 2024. He pleaded guilty on January 29, 2025.

Along with other passengers, Red Owl was riding in the backseat of a moving vehicle while he was under the influence of cocaine. He was in possession of a loaded firearm as well. Red Owl told law enforcement that he leaned over causing the firearm in his possession to inadvertently discharge, striking and killing the driver.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.

Red Owl was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Denver, Colorado, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on April 14, 2025.

Patricia Rae Pacheco a/k/a Patty Pacheco, age 35, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Pacheco was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in August 2020. She pleaded guilty on January 15, 2025.

Between January 1, 2015, and January 1, 2020, Pacheco conspired with several other persons to distribute methamphetamine obtained from Colorado to her family members and others in South Dakota, specifically in the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. 

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the Valentine (NE) Police Department.

Pacheco was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Frank Long Black Cat, age 31, of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon following a two-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on April 9, 2025.

The conviction carries a maximum penalty of ten years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

Long Black Cat was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2025.

Evidence at trial established that Long Black Cat used a knife to repeatedly stab another person in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Schroeder and Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date has been set for July 14, 2025.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of two counts of Theft of a Firearm. The sentencing took place on April 7, 2025.

Zachary Coats, age 28, was sentenced to four years and two months in federal prison on each count to be served concurrently, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $10,277.67 in restitution.

Coats was indicted on three counts of Theft of a Firearm and one count of Possession of a Stolen Firearm in February 2024. He pleaded guilty to two counts of Theft of a Firearm on January 29, 2025.

In August 2023, at Rapid City, Zachary Coats broke into several local federally licensed firearms dealerships and stole multiple firearms, including a Beretta 12-gauge shotgun, a Benelli 12-gauge shotgun, a USA Military Surplus .30 caliber rifle, and a Stoeger 12-gauge shotgun. When law enforcement identified Zachary Coats as the suspect in the thefts, Coats directed his spouse, Danielle Coats, to remove the firearms from their residence to another family member’s home to prevent law enforcement from finding them in their home. Subsequently, Danielle Coats directed others to again move or dispose of the firearms to prevent law enforcement from recovering them.

Danielle Coats pleaded guilty to Possession of a Stolen Firearm and was sentenced in July 2024 to two years and six months in federal prison.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. [use if applicable] Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.

Zachary Coats was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Appear. The sentencing took place on March 31, 2025.

Patrick Brewer, Sr., 49, was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison, to run consecutively to a 46-month sentence for a 2024 assault charge. Brewer was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Brewer was indicted for Failure to Appear by a federal grand jury in August 2024. He pleaded guilty on January 22, 2025.

Brewer, who was sentenced in August 2024 for a domestic violence assault, was ordered by the judge to self-surrender for his custody term. Brewer did not report on the designated date, prompting a months-long search for him. He was found in December 2024 by the U.S. Marshals Service. In sentencing Brewer to an additional 37 months in custody, the district court denounced Brewer’s disrespect for the law and disregard for the Court’s order to self-surrender. Brewer will now serve a total term of 83 months in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Brewer was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of two counts of Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner. The sentencing took place on March 31, 2025. 

Jared Red Cloud, 24, was sentenced to nine months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release for each count. The counts were orded to run concurrently. Red Cloud was also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Red Cloud was indicted for Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner and Assault by Strangulation and Suffocation by a federal grand jury in August 2024. He pleaded guilty on January 21, 2025.

The conviction stems from a years-long pattern of violence by Red Cloud against his child’s mother.  Law enforcement learned Red Cloud had beaten the victim in 2021 and 2024, bruising her face and body. The district court cited the pattern of abuse in the relationship in denying Red Cloud’s request for probation or time served and imposed a nine-month sentence.

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or technological actions or threats of actions or other patterns of coercive behavior that influence another person within an intimate partner relationship. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone. Resources are available via the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women, as well as through local law enforcement.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Red Cloud was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Eddie Bromwich, age 45, of Lower Brule, South Dakota, was found guilty of two counts of Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer following a three-day federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on April 3, 2025.

Each charge carries a maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Bromwich was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2024.

On February 6, 2024, Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of Bromwich for speeding within the Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservation. Bromwich argued with and resisted instructions from the officers and ultimately engaged in a physical struggle with them. One of the officers suffered a broken finger as a result of the incident.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs - Office of Justice Services, Lower Brule Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Murphy and Kimberly Zachrison prosecuted and tried the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date has not been set. Bromwich was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Rapid City, South Dakota, has returned an indictment charging an airman stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base with First Degree Murder.

Quinterius Charles Chappelle, age 24, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann on March 28, 2025 on the indictment and pleaded not guilty. The charge carries a mandatory sentence of life in federal imprisonment or death and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each count. Restitution may also be ordered.

The indictment charges Chappelle with killing Sahela Toka Win Sangrait on Ellsworth Air Force Base in August 2024. Sangrait’s body was found last month in a wooded area near Hill City, South Dakota. Chappelle sought release from custody pending trial, and the United States moved for detention. The federal Magistrate Judge hearing the matter ordered Chappelle detained pending trial.

“The federal grand jury in Rapid City recently returned a charge of First Degree Murder against Quinterius Chappelle, alleging he killed the victim with premeditation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota will now proceed with the prosecution of this tragic case and relentlessly pursue justice on behalf of the victim.”

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paige Petersen and Benjamin Schroeder are prosecuting the case. 

Chappelle was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Christopher Spider, a/k/a “House”, age 45 of South Dakota and Lance Brunsting, age 56, of Colorado, of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance following a four-day jury trial in federal district court in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on March 27, 2025.

The charges carry a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in custody and/or a $10,000,000 fine, mandatory minimum of five years and up to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Christopher Spider was also convicted of Tampering with a Witness. That charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, a possibility of up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Spider and Brunsting were indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023.

Brunsting and Spider, along with numerous other individuals, conspired to distribute hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine throughout the state of South Dakota.

Spider, a resident of Crow Creek, was responsible for distributing approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine throughout the Crow Creek Indian Reservation during his involvement in the conspiracy. While under Indictment for the offense, Spider sent a letter to another witness attempting to intimidate the witness into changing her testimony at trial. The letter was reported to law enforcement and Spider was subsequently indicted for Witness Tampering.

Brunsting, a resident of Denver, Colorado, was responsible for assisting in the weighing, packaging, and ultimate distribution of approximately 100 pounds of methamphetamine. Brunsting made a trip to South Dakota alongside another co-conspirator where he assisted in selling approximately 41 pounds of methamphetamine throughout the state of South Dakota and into Minnesota.

“Christopher Spider and Lance Brunsting were involved in one of the largest methamphetamine conspiracies in South Dakota history,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “Our office was able to successfully prosecute the large-scale drug conspiracy thanks to the exceptional collaborative and investigative efforts of our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners. Last week’s convictions represent a crucial step toward bringing these individuals to justice for the roles they played in bringing hundreds of pounds of illegal narcotics into our South Dakota communities.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration provided the following statement: “The two individuals convicted last week are responsible for inflicting immeasurable harm on members of our South Dakota communities,” Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Rafael Mattei said. “Their arrest and conviction should serve as a warning to drug traffickers that the combined efforts of state, local and federal law enforcement will bring those pushing these dangerous substances to justice.”

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (including the Rocky Mountain Field Division, Omaha Field Division, Mexico City Country Office, Los Angeles Field Division, Special Operations Division), as well as South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, FBI, South Dakota Highway Patrol, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigation team, El Paso Intelligence Center, and collaboration received from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Marshals Service, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, Sioux Falls Police Department, Mitchell Police Department, Denver Police Department, Las Vegas Metro Police Department, Worthington Police Department, Brookings Police Department, Brookings Sherriff’s Department, Rock County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force, Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force,  Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force, and the Colorado Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Petersen prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date has been set for June 16, 2025. The defendants were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on March 31, 2025.

Blaine Kills Back, age 48, was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Kills Back was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2024. He pleaded guilty on January 22, 2025.

Kills Back is required to register as a sex offender based on two convictions for sexual assault offenses. His first conviction as an adult was for Sexual Abuse of a Minor in February 2000. He was thereafter convicted of Sexual Contact without Consent in the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court, Pennington County, South Dakota, in February 2005, after he groped a woman without her consent at the federal halfway house facility while on supervised release for his prior sex offense conviction. Kills Back was convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender on three prior occasions, in 2015, 2018, and 2023. In July 2024, Kills Back was released from prison and began supervised release in Rapid City. Kills Back reported to the Rapid City Police Department’s Sex Offender Registry Office to register an address, but it was within a prohibited community safety zone in Box Elder, South Dakota. Kills Back never attempted to register a valid address thereafter, despite knowing he was required to do so. His whereabouts were unknown for more than a month.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

The U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox handled the prosecution.

Kills Back was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today announced that it will surge FBI assets across the country to address unresolved violent crimes in Indian Country, including crimes relating to missing and murdered indigenous persons.

FBI will send 60 personnel, rotating in 90-day temporary duty assignments over a six-month period.  This operation is the longest and most intense national deployment of FBI resources to address Indian Country crime to date.  FBI personnel will support field offices in Albuquerque; Denver; Detroit; Jackson, Miss.; Minneapolis; Oklahoma City; Phoenix; Portland, Oreg.; Seattle; and Salt Lake City. The FBI will work in partnership with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal law enforcement agencies across jurisdictions.

FBI personnel will be assisted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit, and they will use the latest forensic evidence processing tools to solve cases and hold perpetrators accountable. U.S. Attorney’s Offices will aggressively prosecute case referrals.

“Crime rates in American Indian and Alaska Native communities are unacceptably high. By surging FBI resources and collaborating closely with US Attorneys and Tribal law enforcement to prosecute cases, the Department of Justice will help deliver the accountability that these communities deserve,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.

“The FBI will manhunt violent criminals on all lands – and Operation Not Forgotten ensures a surge in resources to locate violent offenders on tribal lands and find those who have gone missing,” said FBI Director Kash Patel.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota, alongside our federal, state, and tribal law enforcement partners, has for decades been fiercely committed to responding to violent crime in Indian country,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “These additional resources will aid in our effort to hold offenders accountable and achieve justice on behalf of victims.”

Indian Country faces persistent levels of crime and victimization.  At the beginning of Fiscal Year 2025, FBI’s Indian Country program had approximately 4,300 open investigations, including over 900 death investigations, 1,000 child abuse investigations, and more than 500 domestic violence and adult sexual abuse investigations.

Operation Not Forgotten renews efforts begun during President Trump’s first term under E.O. 13898, Establishing the Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives.  This is the third deployment under Operation Not Forgotten, which has provided investigative support to over 500 cases in the past two years.  Combined, these operations resulted in the recovery of 10 child victims, 52 arrests, and 25 indictments or judicial complaints.

Operation Not Forgotten also expands upon the resources deployed in recent years to address cases of missing and murdered indigenous people.  The effort will be supported by the Department’s MMIP Regional Outreach Program, which places attorneys and coordinators in U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the United States to help prevent and respond to cases of missing or murdered indigenous people.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Larceny. The sentencing took place on March 24, 2025.

Zyin Wright, age 22, was sentenced to time served from his arrest on March 27, 2024, through March 24, 2025, equal to approximately one year in custody, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Wright was further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $4,124.47.

Wright was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2024. He pleaded guilty on December 16, 2024.

The conviction stems from conduct that occurred in March of 2024. On the evening of March 26, 2024, Wright stole a motor vehicle from a residence in Rapid City. He then drove the vehicle to Mission, South Dakota, in the Rosebud Indian Reservation. The vehicle was reported stolen on the morning of March 27, 2024, and it was located in Mission a short time later with the assistance of vehicle-tracking software. Wright was arrested in Mission later that day.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on March 17, 2025.

Trevor Red Bird, age 36, was sentenced to two years and nine months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Red Bird was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2024. He pleaded guilty on January 8, 2025.

Red Bird was convicted in U.S. District Court of Abusive Sexual Contact in May 2008. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender and to update his registration. Red Bird was convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender in 2017, 2019, and 2022. In December 2023, Red Bird was released from prison and began supervised release in Rapid City. Initially, Red Bird properly updated his registration. In May 2024, however, he moved from his registered address but did not update his registration. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued and on October 5, 2024, Red Bird was arrested in Rapid City.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.

Red Bird was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced an Oglala, South Dakota, woman convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on March 17, 2025.

Alexis Wounded, age 26, was sentenced to five years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution was also ordered.

A federal grand jury indicted Wounded in July 2024. She pleaded guilty on December 11, 2024.

The conviction relates to Wounded’s act of stabbing her significant other, Roger Big Crow, a single time in his back on April 21, 2024, near Pine Ridge, after a quarrel had broken out. Big Crow died as a result of the stab wound. Wounded, who was highly intoxicated when she killed Big Crow, initially told the FBI that Big Crow fell backwards onto the knife. Wounded eventually admitted she stabbed Big Crow intentionally in her kitchen, though she did not specifically intend or plan to take his life.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.

Wounded was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced an Oglala, South Dakota, man following his conviction for two counts of Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on March 17, 2025.

Johnathan Morrison, 34, was sentenced to eight years and nine months in federal prison on each count for a total of 210 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release on each count with the time to run concurrently, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each count. Morrison was also ordered to pay $95 in restitution to the South Dakota Internet Crimes Investigation Fund and to forfeit his interest in a smartphone. He will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

A federal grand jury indicted Morrison in February of 2024. He pleaded guilty on January 8, 2025.

In August 2023, Morrison solicited a 10-year old female to engage in sexually explicit conduct over social media. Shortly thereafter, an adult learned that Morrison had enticed the child and reported Morrison’s criminal actions to the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Morrison was immediately apprehended and arrested. His smartphone was seized as evidence. An extraction of his smartphone revealed that prior to August 2023, Morrison downloaded and installed multiple social media platforms, including KIK, Telegram, and Snapchat onto his cellular device. Through these platforms, Morrison solicited, sent, and received images and videos containing child pornography. Some of the images recovered involved prepubescent females engaged in sexual acts. Through his chats, investigators learned that Morrison had an interest in 10-14 year old females. The search also revealed that Morrison had made sexual advances to his girlfriend’s teenage daughter and that he had covertly photographed her over 130 times with his smartphone.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, and the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

Morrison was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged an airman stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, with Second Degree Murder.

Quinterius Charles Chappelle, age 24, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann on March 17, 2025, and pleaded not guilty to a federal Criminal Complaint.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is life in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each count. Restitution may also be ordered.

The complaint charges Chappelle with killing Sahela Toka Win Sangrait on Ellsworth Air Force Base in August 2024. Sangrait’s body was found earlier this month in a wooded area near Hill City, South Dakota.

“This charge, filed just ten days after the victim’s remains were discovered, reflects the dogged work of federal, state, and local law enforcement professionals who seamlessly collaborated to run down every lead with absolute expediency and care,” said Alison Ramsdell, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota. “Under the criminal justice system, this charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is innocent until proven guilty; the facts and evidence in this case will be litigated before a federal judge and jury. At this time, our hearts are with the victim’s family and friends, who after many agonizing months of searching for answers, are now grieving the tragic death of their loved one.”

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paige Petersen and Benjamin Schroeder are prosecuting the case. 

Chappelle was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Mexican man convicted of Illegal Reentry after Deportation. The sentencing took place on March 10, 2025.

Jose Jimenez, a/k/a Jose Lidio Chavez Flores, 42, was sentenced to two months in federal prison and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Jimenez was also ordered to be removed from the United States.

Jimenez was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person and Illegal Reentry after Deportation by a federal grand jury in November 2024. He pleaded guilty on February 11, 2025.

On November 8, 2024, in Rapid City, South Dakota, law enforcement attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle Jimenez was driving. Instead of stopping, Jimenez led law enforcement on a pursuit. Once stopped, law enforcement located a semi-automatic rifle in a rear seat of the vehicle.  Jimenez is not a United States citizen, and he has been removed from the United States to Mexico on two previous occasions. Jimenez had not obtained consent to reenter the United States from the U.S. Attorney General or the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.

Jimenez was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a San Diego, California, man convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on March 12, 2025.

Leobardo Vega , age 32, was sentenced to six years and six months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, $1,000 fine, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Vega was indicted for Posssession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in August 2023. He pleaded guilty on December 4, 2024.

On September 30, 2022, Vega was involved in a traffic stop on Interstate 90 near Murdo, South Dakota. During the search of the vehicle law enforcement found 20 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in the vehicle. Vega admitted he was transporting the methamphetamine from California to Minnesota where it would be further distributed by others.

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Highway Patrol and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.

Vega was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Mexican man convicted of Illegal Reentry after Deportation. The sentencing took place on March 10, 2025.

Celso Diaz-Martinez, 52, was sentenced to time served and ordered to be removed from the United States.

Diaz-Martinez was indicted for Illegal Reentry after Deportation by a federal grand jury in November 2024. He was found guilty following a federal jury trial on February 18, 2025.

The evidence at trial established Diaz-Martinez is not a U.S. citizen and had been deported from the United States on four prior occasions. Diaz-Martinez was found in Meade County, South Dakota, in November 2024.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Meade County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Lindrooth and Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.

Diaz-Martinez was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S.  District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Milo Shot With Arrow, age 51, was sentenced on March 7, 2025, to six years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Shot With Arrow was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2024, and pleaded guilty on November 13, 2024.

Shot With Arrow’s conviction stemmed from the large-scale distribution of methamphetamine in the Pine Ridge Reservation and in Rapid City, South Dakota. Misty Hornbeck and Nathan Tobacco-Clifford were the source of supply for Shot With Arrow and codefendants Malcom Shot With Arrow, Ruben Clifford, and Tasha Rooks. During the course of the conspiracy, Shot With Arrow and several of his codefendants made trips to Colorado to pick up substantial amounts of methamphetamine from Misty Hornbeck and others. Other times Hornbeck would deliver the drugs to Tobacco-Clifford and others in South Dakota. Once the methamphetamine was in South Dakota, it would be further distributed by multiple individuals, including Shot With Arrow. Between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine was distributed during the course of this criminal enterprise.

The codefendants’ cases are pending.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is comprised of agents from the FBI, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, Martin Police Department, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.

Shot With Arrow was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following sentencing. 

SIOUX FALLS – Alison J. Ramsdell, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota, has announced multiple local recipients of a Regional Award from the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). The award presentation took place in Sioux Falls on March 12, 2025, and recognized the extraordinary, multi-agency work that resulted in the successful disruption of a large-scale drug trafficking organization responsible for bringing approximately 140 pounds of methamphetamine from Mexico and Arizona into South Dakota and Louisiana.

The Midwest HIDTA Outstanding Prosecution Award was given to agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Internal Revenue Service, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with detectives from the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force and officers with the South Dakota Highway Patrol and Moody County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges was also recognized for his work in securing federal convictions of 19 individuals from South Dakota, Arizona, and Louisiana for their participation in the large-scale conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and to commit money laundering.

The investigation, which spanned nearly two years, revealed that Christopher Daniels was operating as the South Dakota cell leader of a multi-state drug trafficking organization. Agents further discovered that Daniels obtained methamphetamine from Sean Gross in Arizona, who in turn sourced the methamphetamine from Rusty Driscoll. Driscoll had a direct connection to a source in Mexico. Gross and Driscoll also sent multiple pounds of methamphetamine to Jessica Louviere in Louisiana. Agents determined that Daniels was personally responsible for distributing at least 120 pounds of methamphetamine in South Dakota. Driscoll was responsible for directing the quantities, prices, payments, and shipments of multiple multi-pound deliveries of methamphetamine to South Dakota and elsewhere. As a result of successful federal prosecutions, the leaders of this drug conspiracy received significant federal sentences—Driscoll was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison; Daniels was sentenced to 30 years; Gross was sentenced to more than 26 years; and Louviere was sentenced to 14 years.

“We are extremely fortunate to have local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies who readily and regularly collaborate to intercept drugs being trafficked into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Ramsdell. “This case is just one example of the consequential work being done by law enforcement agencies, alongside federal prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to dismantle drug trafficking organizations and hold accountable those who dare to do their deadly business in South Dakota.”

The HIDTA program, created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, provides assistance to Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. This grant program is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy. There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. The DEA plays a very active role and has more than 1,500 authorized special agent positions dedicated to the program. At the local level, the HIDTAs are directed and guided by Executive Boards composed of an equal number of regional Federal and non-Federal (state, local, and tribal) law enforcement leaders.

South Dakota counties involved in the Midwest HIDTA include Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Clay, Codington, Custer, Lawrence, Lincoln, Meade, Minnehaha, Pennington, Union, and Yankton.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Beresford, South Dakota, man convicted of Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on March 10, 2025.

Theodore John Jungbauer, age 61, was sentenced to 33 years and four months in federal prison. When released, he will be on supervised release for life. He was also ordered to pay $33,000 in restitution to several victims of the child pornography he possessed and distributed and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Once released from federal prison, Jungbauer will be required register as a sex offender.

Jungbauer was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 12, 2024.

The conviction stemmed from Jungbauer receiving and distributing child pornography over the dark web from December 13, 2021, through August 24, 2023. While living in South Dakota, Jungbauer’s illegal online activity came to the attention of law enforcement in Australia. Australian officials contacted Homeland Security Investigations when they discovered Jungbauer was trying to share his library of child pornography over the dark web. His library included 3,695 files (images and videos) of child sexual abuse materials.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.

Jungbauer was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schrier has sentenced a South Dakota man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on February 24, 2025.

Sonny Gray Grass, 63, was sentenced to one year and six months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Gray Grass was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in November 2024. He pleaded guilty in December 2024.

Gray Grass was previously convicted on September 9, 2013, in U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota, of Abusive Sexual Contact, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1153, 2244(a)95) and 2246(3), and was, thereafter, required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. The conviction stems from Gray Grass failing to register his location while living in Sioux Falls in August 2024.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case.

Gray Grass was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person and Possession of a Stolen Firearm. The sentencing took place on March 3, 2025.

Caesar Valle, 22, was sentenced to three years and four months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Valle was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2024. He pleaded guilty in December 2024.

In December 2023, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) received a tip that Valle was illegally selling firearms. ATF then conducted an undercover operation in which an agent reached out to Valle, posing as a firearms purchaser. Valle eventually met up with the undercover agent and sold a Beretta shotgun to the agent for $650. Valle told the agent the shotgun was stolen, which was confirmed based on a check of the serial number. Valle is prohibited from possessing firearms due to three prior felony convictions, including First Degree Robbery and Possession of a Firearm After Violent Felony Conviction.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by ATF. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Joyce prosecuted the case.

Valle was immediately remanded to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Stella Caldwell, age 29, was sentenced on March 7, 2025, to 12 years and seven months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Caldwell was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2024 and pleaded guilty on December 20, 2024.

In the time period charged, Caldwell and others distributed significant amounts of methamphetamine in Pine Ridge and Rapid City, South Dakota. She played a supervisory role in the conspiracy, managing moving drugs from co-conspirators to subsequent distributors. In sentencing Caldwell, Judge Schreier lamented how Caldwell’s actions severely damaged the community. The judge also noted the drugs Caldwell was distributing came from Mexican cartels and was 100% pure methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Caldwell was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following sentencing.