District of South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced an Elmore, Minnesota, man convicted of Attempted Production of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on August 8, 2024.

Mason Mensing, age 23, was sentenced to 19 years and five 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. Upon his release, Mensing must register as a sex offender.

Mensing was indicted by a federal grand jury in November of 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 21, 2024.

The conviction stemmed from incidents between August 17, 2022, and August 19, 2022, when Mensing pretended to be a high schooler in Minnesota and attempted to persuade a minor female in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to send him nude images of herself. The minor female refused and told her parents, who then went to the police. After an undercover agent took over the minor’s Snapchat account, Mensing had several sexual conversations with the undercover agent. An examination of Mensing’s Snapchat account revealed that he had requested nude photos from multiple teenage girls in South Dakota and Minnesota.

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 Homeland Security Investigations and the Brookings Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Heath Kelvin Hagen, age 37, of Watertown, South Dakota of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Aberdeen. The verdict was returned on August 1, 2024.

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

Hagen was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2023. 

Hagen was part of a group of people who trafficked thousands of pills in the Northeastern part of South Dakota. Hagen obtained the pills from Minneapolis and redistributed them to others primarily in Watertown and Sisseton. Witnesses identified Hagen as the biggest fentanyl dealer in Watertown for a period of time in early 2022.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Joyce prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for October 21, 2024. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Manderson, South Dakota, man convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter, and a Rapid City, South Dakota, woman convicted of Misprision of a Felony. The sentencings took place on August 2, 2024.

Tyson White Plume, 29, was sentenced to 15 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.

Sarah Stone, 44, was sentenced to time served, followed by one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

In February of 2022, a federal grand jury indicted White Plume for Second Degree Murder and Stone for Accessory After the Fact to Second Degree Murder. White Plume pleaded guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter and Stone pleaded guilty to Misprision of a Felony. The change of plea hearings took place on May 3, 2024.

The convictions arose out of the shooting death of White Plume’s seventeen-year-old girlfriend on February 5, 2022. White Plume admitted pointing a pistol at the minor’s face and pulling the trigger, after removing the magazine but failing to ensure the firearm did not have a bullet in the chamber. The shooting occurred in Stone’s residence near Rockyford, South Dakota, in the Pine Ridge Reservation. Stone knew the minor had been killed in her home, but concealed and lied about what she knew when she was questioned by law enforcement officers.

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 Heather Knox prosecuted the case.

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Robert A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, woman convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on August 1, 2024.

Lucy Medicine Eagle, age 33, was sentenced to four years and nine 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.

Medicine Eagle was indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2022. She pleaded guilty on April 26, 2024.

On March 28, 2022, Medicine Eagle was at a residence in St. Francis, in the Rosebud Reservation, drinking alcohol with family members and had a verbal argument with her adult brother. She thought her brother had stolen and pawned her Xbox gaming console, but it was actually simply misplaced and sitting behind a couch on the premises. Not knowing this, Medicine Eagle struck and punched her brother in the face and head numerous times. He told her to stop, but she did not stop and he put his arms up in a defensive position as she continued to strike him. She stopped striking him when other household members intervened. By that time, the brother had suffered severe head injuries and was soon unresponsive. He was transported to Monument Health in Rapid City where he was kept alive on life support machines. He died on April 1, 2022 and his cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma injuries to the head. 

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 Tim Maher prosecuted the case.

Medicine Eagle was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal to serve her sentence.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Accessory after the Fact. The sentencing took place on August 1, 2024.

Charles Brings Plenty, age 32, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,938.48 in restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Brings Plenty was indicted for the charges of Second-Degree Murder and False Statement by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. He pleaded guilty to Accessory after the Fact on April 3, 2024.

Brings Plenty and his juvenile codefendant picked up the victim from the East Ridge housing area in Pine Ridge on the evening of April 21, 2023. Brings Plenty and the juvenile defendant went to a fairly isolated area near the Old Sundance Grounds in Pine Ridge. Brings Plenty and the juvenile codefendant were intoxicated. On the way to the Old Sundance Grounds, the death of a relative that Brings Plenty and the juvenile codefendant shared was brought up. Brings Plenty got out of the car and began to question the victim. The juvenile codefendant used the vehicle to assault the victim and then assaulted him with a black baseball bat. Brings Plenty assisted the juvenile codefendant and then left the victim. The victim was reported missing by his family approximately two-weeks later. In July of 2023, the skeletal remains of a human were found north of the Old Sundance Grounds. DNA testing revealed that the remains were that of the 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 Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Manderson, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Anthony Tibbitts, age 40, was sentenced on August 2, 2024, to five 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.

Tibbitts was indicted by a federal grand jury in the summer of 2023, and pleaded guilty on April 19, 2024.

Tibbitts’ conviction stemmed from his involvement in a large-scale methamphetamine distribution operation in Rapid City, South Dakota, and on the Pine Ridge Reservation. During this conspiracy, Richard Glover and his significant other, Teresa Goodroad, were the source of supply for Mark Bond and Todd Pape in South Dakota. Bond and Pape would make trips to Colorado to pick up pounds of methamphetamine from Goodroad and Glover. Other times Goodroad and Glover would deliver the drugs to Bond and Pape in South Dakota. Once the drugs were in South Dakota they would be brought to various homes on the Pine Ridge Reservation, including Tibbitts’, where they would be further distributed by multiple individuals, including Tibbitts, Marlena Pond, Chris Janis, Tessie LaForge, Tyler LaForge, and others. All told, between 15 and 45 kilograms of methamphetamine was distributed during the course of this criminal enterprise. 

Glover, Goodroad, Bond, Pape, Pond, Janis, and Tessie LaForge were sentenced earlier this summer. Glover received a sentence of 17 years and six months in prison; Goodroad received a sentence of 17 years and six months in prison; Bond received a sentence of 26 years and eight months in prison; Pape received a sentence of 25 years in prison; Pond received a sentence of six years in prison; Janis received a sentence of six years in prison; and Tessie LaForge received a sentence of two years and six months in prison. Tyler LaForge is set for sentencing later this summer.

This case was investigated by 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 Meghan N. Dilges and Edward  Tarbay prosecuted the case.

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. The sentencing took place on August 1, 2024.

Rudolfo Ceron III, 26, was sentenced to 14 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. Ceron will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Ceron was indicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor by a federal grand jury in October of 2023. He pleaded guilty on April 5, 2024.

The conviction stems from Ceron, who was 25 years old at the time of the assault, raping a 13-year-old girl. In sentencing Ceron to 14 years in prison, Chief Judge Lange noted a need to protect the public and provide both punishment and deterrence.     

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 Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Ceron 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 City, Iowa, woman convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute. The sentencing took place on July 29, 2024.

Sara Raquel Torres, age 38, was sentenced to 10 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.

Torres was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2023. She pleaded guilty on May 15, 2024.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on March 11, 2023, when Torres began communicating with someone who Torres thought was interested in buying methamphetamine from her, but turned out to be an undercover law enforcement agent. Torres set up a deal to sell one to two pounds of methamphetamine to the undercover agent. On her way to make the deal, Torres was stopped by the South Dakota Highway Patrol who, after searching her vehicle, found approximately 943 grams of methamphetamine and a handgun. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

Torres 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 Vale, South Dakota, woman convicted of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. The sentencing took place on July 25, 2024.

Leslie Marie White, 26, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised released, and order to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $29,424.20 in restitution. White will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

White was indicted for Production of Child Pornography by a Parent by a federal grand jury in January of 2023. She pleaded guilty on May 1, 2024.

On December 13, 2022, the FBI received a tip that a married couple was producing child pornography using their minor daughter. The pornographic images were located by an overseas partner on the social media platform “Wickr.” Through the investigation it was determined that White and her husband were trading images and videos containing child pornography involving their daughter to other individuals using Wickr.

On December 19, 2022, law enforcement seized 33 devices, from White’s home in Vale. A forensic examiner with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force reviewed the devices and determined that there was child pornography on 12 of the 33 devices, including 169 videos, 443 images, and eight live videos of child pornography.  

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.

Timothy White was sentenced on February 5, 2024, to 45 years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the FBI, and the Butte County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

White 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 Ridgeview, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assaulting, Resisting and Impeding a Federal Officer. The sentencing took place on July 29, 2024.

Arthur Butcher, 37, was sentenced to seven and a half years in federal prison on each count, to run concurrently, followed by three years of supervised release on each count, to run concurrently, $2,860 in restitution, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Arthur Butcher was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2023. He pleaded guilty on May 6, 2024.

The convictions stem from Butcher assaulting his ex-wife and a Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services officer on May 29, 2023. The officer responded to a residence on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation following a report of an assault occurring inside the home. The officer found Butcher in a bedroom lying on top of his ex-wife with a knife in his hand. After the officer told Butcher to get off the woman, Butcher kicked a taser out of the officer’s hand and charged at him with the knife. Butcher stabbed the officer in an area of his chest protected by body armor and pushed the officer onto a couch, where the officer kicked Butcher back and fired three shots at Butcher, who was struck and then dropped the knife. Medical aid was provided to Butcher, and he survived. Prior to the officer’s arrival, Butcher had strangled his ex-wife, hit and kicked her multiple times, dragged her around the residence by her hair, threatened her life, and cut her with a knife. Butcher caused multiple injuries to his ex-wife, including extensive bruising on her face and body, severe bruising around her neck, and lacerations to her forehead and neck.    

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.

Butcher 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 Fort Welton, Florida, man convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on July 25, 2024.

Giles Frederick Hulsmann, 38, was sentenced to two and a half 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.

Hulsmann was indicted for Involuntary Manslaughter by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. He pleaded guilty on May 3, 2024.

On November 24, 2022, Hulsmann found himself lost and near Pine Ridge, South Dakota, significantly off route from his destination. Rather than pulling over and orienting himself with the area, Hulsmann flew into a rage and drove approximately 80 MPH in a 45 MPH zone when he struck a motorcyclist. An accident reconstructionist determined that Hulsmann did not utilize his brakes or swerve before hitting the motorcyclist head on.      

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 Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

Hulsmann 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 sentenced a Sturgis, South Dakota, man convicted of Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on July 25, 2024.

Jeffery Dean Sipe, 31, was sentenced to 14 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. Sipe will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

In November of 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Sipe for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet, and Receipt of Child Pornography. He pleaded guilty on May 3, 2024.

In May of 2022, a local minor reported that Sipe had solicited images of child pornography from her and had forcibly raped her when she was between the ages of 15 to 17. Law enforcement found sexually explicit messages from Sipe in his Snapchat account which directed the victim to pose in certain ways and send him sexually explicit images of her. Multiple sexually explicit images of the minor were located on Sipe’s electronic devices.

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 Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations,  Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.

Sipe 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 three men convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Chris Janis, a/k/a “Izzy” Janis, age 50, of Manderson, South Dakota, was sentenced on July 25, 2024, 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.

Dalton Fiala, age 24, of Buffalo, Wyoming, was sentenced on July 26, 2024, to four 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.

Richard Glover, age 43, of Denver, Colorado, was sentenced on July 26, 2024, to 17 years and six 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.

Janis was indicted by a federal grand jury in the summer of 2023, and pleaded guilty on March 15, 2024. Glover and Fiala were indicated by a federal grand jury in the fall of 2023 and pleaded guilty on April 26, 2024.

These convictions stemmed from activities involving the large-scale distribution of methamphetamine in Rapid City, South Dakota, and on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Glover and his significant other, Teresa Goodroad, were the source of supply for Mark Bond and Todd Pape in South Dakota. During the course of the conspiracy, Bond and Pape would make trips to Colorado to pick up pounds of methamphetamine from Goodroad and Glover. Other times Goodroad and Glover would deliver the drugs to Bond and Pape in South Dakota. Once the drugs were in South Dakota it would be further distributed by multiple individuals, including Janis and Fiala. Between 15 and 45 kilograms of methamphetamine was distributed during the course of this criminal enterprise. 

Goodroad, Bond, and Pape were sentenced earlier this summer. Goodroad received a sentence of 17 years and six months in prison; Bond received a sentence of 26 years and eight months in prison; and Pape received a sentence of 25 years in prison.

This case was investigated by 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 Meghan N. Dilges and Edward  Tarbay prosecuted the case.

All three men were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following their respective sentencings.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on July 25, 2024.

Tell Logan Cadotte, 33, 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 and $12,000 in restitution. Cadotte will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

In July of 2021, Cadotte was indicted by a federal grand jury for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Receipt of Child Pornography, and Possession of Child Pornography. On May 3, 2024, he pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography.

For several years, Cadotte sexually abused a female minor he was asked to babysit. Cadotte recorded the sexual abuse using his cellular phone. When law enforcement executed a search warrant on Cadotte’s residence in February of 2021, they located images and videos of the minor female being sexually abused by Cadotte. He also possessed hundreds of sexually explicit depictions of other minors, some of whom were identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

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 Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.

Cadotte 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 Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on July 26, 2024.

Marvin Brings Plenty, age 34, 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.

Brings Plenty was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in December of 2023. He pleaded guilty on April 24, 2024.

In October of 2023, at Rapid City, Brings Plenty, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, was found to be in possession of a Tisa-Trabzon, Luger caliber, 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber, semi-automatic pistol after a search warrant was executed at his home. Brings Plenty was also a user of methamphetamine and fentanyl during the time he possessed the firearms. The investigation began when law enforcement learned Brings Plenty was distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl from his residence. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home where drugs, distribution material, and the two firearms were recovered.

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 Patterson prosecuted the case.

Brings Plenty 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 Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on July 26, 2024.

Darian Libert, age 26, was sentenced to one year and nine 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.

Libert was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in February of 2024. He pleaded guilty on May 1, 2024.

In July of 2023, at Rapid City, Libert, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, was found to be in possession of Sturm, Ruger & Company .380 AUTO caliber semi-automatic pistol. The investigation began when Libert was driving a four-wheeler on Deadwood Avenue and was involved in an accident. Libert fled the scene but was later located by law enforcement officers and was found in possession of the firearm in his pocket.

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 Patterson prosecuted the case.

Libert 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 Healdsburg, California, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on July 26, 2024.

Steve Tucker, 48, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by three of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Tucker was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. He pleaded guilty on April 26, 2024.

Tucker, who is a felon and thus prohibited from possessing firearms, was arrested in Rapid City, South Dakota, in March of 2023 with a Jimenez Arms brand .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun. When Tucker was found with the firearm, he gave a false name to law enforcement and had multiple pending arrest warrants.

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, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Custer County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Tucker 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 Healdsburg, California, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on July 26, 2024.

Steve Tucker, 48, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by three of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Tucker was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. He pleaded guilty on April 26, 2024.

Tucker, who is a felon and thus prohibited from possessing firearms, was arrested in Rapid City, South Dakota, in March of 2023 with a Jimenez Arms brand .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun. When Tucker was found with the firearm, he gave a false name to law enforcement and had multiple pending arrest warrants.

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, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Custer County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Amanda Joy Quinn, age 42, of Sisseton, South Dakota, appeared before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on June 24, 2024, and pleaded guilty to an Indictment that charged her with Embezzlement and Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization. 

The maximum penalty upon conviction is five 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.

From about June of 2017 through July of 2020, Ms. Quinn, who had been elected Treasurer of the Long Hollow District (“the District”) of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe, embezzled approximately $107,295. While working in the capacity of Treasurer, Ms. Quinn processed checks from the District’s bank account, she then authorized checks from that bank account for overpayments to herself and others. She negotiated the checks in her name and kept the cash. At her change of plea hearing, Ms. Quinn admitted to the scheme; she acknowledged that she was not entitled to that money and that her receipt of it was unlawful.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for September 16, 2024. The defendant remains on pretrial release pending sentencing.

This case was brought pursuant to the Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies, to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities. The Guardians Project is another step of federal law enforcement’s on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination, and positive action on behalf of tribal communities. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the participating agencies include: the FBI; the Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development; IRS Criminal Investigation; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.

For additional information about the Guardians Project, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (605) 330-4400. To report a suspected crime, please contact law enforcement at the federal agency’s locally listed telephone number.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on July 22, 2024.

Jiles Whipple, age 20, was sentenced to two years and six 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. Whipple was further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $17,173.  Additional restitution may apply.

Whipple was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. He pleaded guilty on March 18, 2024.

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on May 28, 2022, in Rosebud, South Dakota, within the boundaries of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. On that date, Whipple was drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking marijuana at his residence in Rosebud. He subsequently departed the residence in a vehicle that he knew had faulty brakes. As he was driving, Whipple ran a stop sign at a three-way intersection and struck a passing pickup truck. A five-year-old child was riding in the bed of the pickup truck and suffered fatal injuries as a result of the wreck.

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.

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

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Robert A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rosebud, South Dakota man convicted of Assaulting, Resisting and Impeding a Federal Officer. The sentencing took place on July 22, 2024.

Robert Kills Plenty, age 27, was sentenced to six months in federal prison, followed by six months of home confinement, and 30 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Kills Plenty was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. He pleaded guilty on March 6, 2024.

On November 24, 2022, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services operated a sobriety checkpoint near St. Francis, South Dakota, and Kills Plenty drove a vehicle through the inspection area. Kills Plenty was directed to pull over for a further DWI investigation. Instead, he failed to comply and fled the checkpoint in his vehicle, leading officers on a high-speed chase. Later, he stopped his vehicle and was apprehended. As he was being transported to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Adult Corrections Facility (RSTACF), he became argumentative and combative. Once at the jail, he argued with jail staff and spat upon a correctional officer, striking the officer in the face with saliva. At the time of the assault, the officer was employed by the RSTACF pursuant to a contract between the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs.

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case.

Kills Plenty was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal to serve his sentence.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Buffalo, New York, man convicted of Production of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on July 22, 2024.

Timothy Raymond Myers, a/k/a C.J. Mikowski, a/k/a Colin James, age 39, was sentenced to 30 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. This federal sentence is to be served concurrently to a 20-year federal sentence from New York he received in 2020.

Myers was indicted by a federal grand jury in South Dakota in July of 2023. He pleaded guilty on April 30, 2024.

The conviction stemmed from incidents between July 4, 2016, and July 2, 2017, when Myers impersonated a teenage male on Facebook and contacted a teenage minor female in South Dakota. After Myers persuaded the teenage girl to send him sexually explicit photos, he threatened to publicly post the photos unless she sent more of them. Law enforcement officers investigating the case found multiple teenage girls throughout the United States that Myers had victimized with the same methods.

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 Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

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

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of an Unregistered Firearm. The sentencing took place on July 22, 2024.

Mikel Swift Hawk, a/k/a Mikal Swift Hawk, age 25, was sentenced to three years and six 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.

Swift Hawk was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. He pleaded guilty on April 4, 2024.

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on November 26, 2022, in Mission, South Dakota, within the boundaries of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. On that date, Swift Hawk was a passenger in a vehicle that was involved in a traffic stop. Law enforcement officers located a short shotgun in the vehicle, which Swift Hawk admitted to possessing. The short shotgun had a barrel of less than eighteen inches in length and was not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Swift Hawk will forfeit ownership of the firearm 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 in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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

Swift Hawk 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 Rapid City, South Dakota, woman convicted of Possession of a Stolen Firearm. The sentencing took place on July 12, 2024.

Danielle Coats, age, 23, was sentenced to two years and six 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 and $7,169.97 in restitution.

Coats was indicted for Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Tampering, and Accessory After the Fact by a federal grand jury in February of 2024. She pleaded guilty on April 26, 2024.

Between August of 2023 and September of 2023, at Rapid City, Coats was found to be in possession of a Beretta 12-gauge shotgun, a Benelli 12-gauge shotgun, a USA Military Surplus .30 caliber rifle, and a Stoeger 12-gauge shotgun, knowing the firearms had previously been stolen by another person from various licensed firearms dealers in Rapid City. After coming into possession of the firearms and learning that law enforcement was aware of who had stolen them and that the firearms were likely at Coats’ residence, Coats involved others in removing the firearms from her residence to another family member’s home. Subsequently, Coats directed others to again move or dispose of the firearms to prevent law enforcement from recovering them. 

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 Patterson prosecuted the case.

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

ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Charles B. Kornmann, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man convicted of Vehicular Battery. The sentencing took place on July 8, 2024.

Jerry Bruce Petersen, age 69, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison, and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Petersen was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 13, 2023.

Shortly before 9:00 p.m. on January 28, 2023, Petersen was driving his F-150 truck on South Dakota Hwy 63 near McLaughlin, when he struck three pedestrians. One of the pedestrians incurred life-threatening injuries requiring an airlift to Bismarck, North Dakota. Petersen’s alcohol concentration was 0.13. The location of the offense lay within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the General Crimes Act, a federal statute, authorizes federal prosecution of certain crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

Petersen 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 Rapid City, South Dakota, man for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. The sentencing took place on June 7, 2024.

Charles Nichols, 51, was sentenced to 24 years and 5 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Nichols was indicted for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Attempted Enticement of a Minor by a federal grand jury in March 2023. He pleaded guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Minor on March 28, 2024.

Nichols admitted that he communicated with a minor, who was then aged 16 and 17, over Instagram for several months. He then offered her alcohol, marijuana, and vape pods in exchanged for sexual activity between August and October of 2022. Nichols used his cellular phone to record some of these sexual acts with the minor. Nichols was arrested after he drove to the Monument Arena in October of 2022, during the Black Hills Pow Wow, to exchange a vape pen for sexual acts with a different minor.

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 Homeland Security Investigations and the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.

Nichols 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 Wanblee, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. The sentencing took place on June 28, 2024.

Benjamin Francis Sitting Up, Jr., 38, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Sitting Up was indicted for Sexual Abuse and Abusive Sexual Contact by a federal grand jury. He pleaded guilty on April 12, 2024, to Sexual Abuse of a Minor.

The conviction stemmed from Sitting Up sexually abusing a thirteen-year-old female in November of 2023. In 2019, Sitting Up had been convicted of transferring obscene material to another female. A federal judge had sentenced him to three years in prison with supervision to follow. After being released from prison, Sitting Up digitally raped another minor in his Wanblee, South Dakota, home, leading to the instant charges. In sentencing Sitting Up to fifteen years, the district court judge explained the statutory maximum sentence was appropriate given the defendant’s history of victimizing young girls.     

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 Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of three counts of Bank Fraud and three counts of Money Laundering. The sentencing took place on July 2, 2024.

Steven Arthur Knigge, 77, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $600 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, $20,833 in restitution to the United States Department of Treasury, $6,140 in restitution to Wells Fargo Bank, and $225 in restitution to Med5 Federal Credit Union.

Knigge was indicted on five counts of Bank Fraud, eight counts of Money Laundering, and one count of Wire Faud by a federal grand jury in July of 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 7, 2024.

Beginning in April of 2021 and continuing through April of 2022, Knigge devised a scheme to defraud several banking institutions for his own personal gain, including Med5 Federal Credit Union, Wells Fargo Bank, Black Hills Federal Credit Union, and Highmark Federal Credit Union.  As part of his scheme, Knigge deposited seven fraudulent checks totaling approximately $200,000 knowing the checks were fraudulent. Knigge then transferred a portion of the fraudulent funds to another account or withdrew cash before the banks were able to determine the funds were fraudulent. 

In April of 2021, Knigge also submitted a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application requesting $20,833 of government funds. In the PPP application, Knigge claimed he owned and operated a residential remodeling business. However, Knigge never owned or operated a residential remodeling business, and the investigation showed the banking and Form W-2 documents that were submitted in support of the application were fraudulent. Knigge received the PPP funds and then immediately withdrew nearly the entire amount in cash.

“IRS Criminal Investigation (CI), in conjunction with our law enforcement partners, continues to actively pursue and prosecute those who abused the COVID pandemic relief programs and hold them accountable for defrauding the government,” said Special Agent in Charge Thomas F. Murdock, St. Louis Field Office. “Mr. Knigge, a former fraud investigator for the South Dakota Dept. of Revenue, admitted he submitted a fraudulent PPP application for personal gain, knowing he wasn’t entitled to those funds.”

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.

Knigge 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, woman convicted of two counts of Involuntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on July 8, 2024.

Janine Faye Good Lance, 45, was sentenced to two-five year terms in federal prison, each to run concurrently, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Good Lance was indicted for Involuntary Manslaughter by a federal grand jury in March of 2023. She was found guilty on April 11, 2024, following a three-day jury trial.

On November 18, 2022, Good Lance drove while intoxicated on BIA Highway 18, near Pine Ridge, South Dakota, while her two friends rode in the car with her. Good Lance, who was wearing a seatbelt at the time she crashed, was the sole survivor. The passengers were ejected from the vehicle and killed when it rolled several times. During the trial, Good Lance claimed her front seat passenger grabbed the steering wheel unexpectedly and caused the car to lose control. Troopers with the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Highway Safety testified, however, using crash reconstruction expertise and the vehicle’s “black box” data, and proved Good Lance’s testimony was false. Good Lance had six prior Tribal arrests for driving under the influence, and two convictions in state court for driving under the influence.

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

Good Lance must self-surrender to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Charles B. Kornmann, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on July 8, 2024.

Brady James Claymore, age 37, was sentenced to eight months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Claymore was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2024. He pleaded guilty on April 10, 2024.

On the morning of December 3, 2023, Claymore went into the bedroom of a 20-year-old woman. He sat down on her bed and touched her thighs and intimate parts over her clothing without her consent. The abuse ended when the woman told Claymore to get out of her room. This incident occurred in McLaughlin, South Dakota, which lies within the Standing Rock Sioux 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 Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

Claymore 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 Manderson, South Dakota, woman convicted of Misprison of a Felony. The sentencing took place on July 8, 2024.

Jaimee Lewis, 43, was sentenced to one year in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Lewis was indicted for Accessory After the Fact to Second Degree Murder by a federal grand jury in May of 2022. She pleaded guilty to Misprision of a Felony on May 3, 2024.

On February 5, 2022, a seventeen-year-old female was shot to death by her boyfriend in a home where Lewis had temporarily been living. Lewis arrived home after the minor had been killed, but while her remains lay in a bedroom in the residence. Lewis used bleach to conceal evidence of the shooting and did not immediately report her knowledge of the death to law enforcement or any other authorities.

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 Heather Knox prosecuted the case.

Lewis 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 Lloyd Emerson Elk, age 47, of Kyle, South Dakota, of four counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor, one count of Abusive Sexual Contact, and one count of Witness Tampering following a two-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City. The verdict was returned on July 2, 2024.

Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 30 years up to life in custody; Abusive Sexual Contact carries any term of years up to life in custody; and Witness Tampering carries maximum penalty of 20 years in custody. Elk was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2024 for the above-listed crimes.

Evidence at trial established that Elk sexually abused a young girl multiple times when she was between the ages of five and seven years old. Elk employed years of domestic violence to control the victim and her family, including physical and emotional abuse. Elk told the victim if she ever told anyone about the sexual abuse, that he would kill her, her mother, and her brother. When the victim finally disclosed the abuse in late 2023, the investigation revealed Elk had sexually abused another young girl in 1998—while employed as a police officer in Idaho—and made similar threats to her to keep her quiet.    

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Lindrooth and Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date has been set for October 2, 2024. The defendant was 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 Chief Judge Roberto Lange has sentenced a Black Hawk, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on July 2, 2024.

Kyle Puckett, 33, was sentenced to three years and five 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.

Puckett was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. He pleaded guilty on April 5, 2024, to Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

The charges were filed after Puckett, who is a convicted felon, was arrested in Rapid City with a loaded pistol, as well as over a thousand dollars in cash, numerous loaded magazines, a distributable amount of methamphetamine, and drug distribution paraphernalia. 

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 Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

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

SIOUX FALLS – Earlier this week, 36 area high school students participated in an immersive Summer Law Camp hosted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota. Over the course of three days, students learned about the federal justice system from the perspective of criminal, civil, and appellate attorneys and paralegals, victim witness advocates, human resource specialists, law enforcement officials, judicial law clerks, the federal judiciary, and law students.

“The USAO’s Summer Law Camp was developed to introduce high school students to various career paths associated with the criminal justice system and the practice of law,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “It is our hope that by offering a window into the work we do each and every day to uphold the rule of law and keep our communities safe, we can inspire the next generation to consider careers as lawyers, law enforcement officers, or vital legal support professionals.”

In addition to meeting with members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, students heard from the Federal Public Defender’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshal’s Service (USMS), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), South Dakota’s FUSION Center, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Sioux Falls Police Department (SFPD). On the third day of Camp, students conducted a mock trial before U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier.   

This was the first Summer Law Camp organized by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota. Information about future programming will be distributed to area school districts in Spring 2025. For more information, please reach out to USASD.SummerLawCamp@usdoj.gov.   

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a St. Francis, South Dakota, man convicted of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. The sentencing took place on July 1, 2024.

Tyson Quigley, a/k/a Tyson Stands, age 35, was sentenced to seven years and six 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.

Quigley was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2023.  He was found guilty following a three-day jury trial in April of 2024.

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on January 1, 2023, near St. Francis within the boundaries of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. On that date, law enforcement was searching for Quigley based on an alleged home invasion that occurred that morning in St. Francis.  Quigley was subsequently located in a parked vehicle at a residence near St. Francis. A .40 caliber pistol was found in the vehicle where he was sitting.

Quigley has three prior felony convictions. In 2013, he was convicted of Domestic Assault of a Pregnant Woman in Platte County, Nebraska. In 2018, he was convicted of Felon in Possession of a Firearm in United States District Court for the District of South Dakota. In 2019, he was convicted of Possession of Methamphetamine in Madison County, Nebraska. As a result of these convictions, it is illegal for Quigley to possess firearms or ammunition. Quigley will forfeit ownership of the firearm to the United States.

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

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.

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

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Robert A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced two persons from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who were convicted of Embezzlement and Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization. The sentencings took place on July 1, 2024.

April Ferguson, age 46, was sentenced to five months in federal prison and an additional five months of home confinement, followed by two years of supervised release, restitution of $36,077 for the Ideal Lakota Community, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Steven Casto, age 41, was sentenced to two years of probation, restitution of $5,922 for the Ideal Lakota Community, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Ferguson and Casto were indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2023. Ferguson and Casto pleaded guilty on March 18, 2024. 

Ferguson and Casto both previously lived within the Ideal Lakota Community, an organized political subdivision of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, established and governed by its Constitution and bylaws.  Article V of the Rosebud Constitution explains the duties and responsibilities of the community chairperson and other officers, including how monies are to be expended for the benefit of community members.  Between March 1, 2020 and June 1, 2021, Ferguson, acting in her capacity as the elected chairperson of the Ideal Lakota Community, fraudulently embezzled and stole money and assets from the community.  Ferguson was dating Casto during part of this time.  As chairperson, Ferguson had access to community treasury accounts. In December 2020, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe issued a large check to the Ideal Lakota Community.  Ferguson and Casto linked a CashApp account to the Ideal Lakota Community’s bank account and conducted numerous transactions that were not for the benefit of the community members.  Transactions included purchases from Amazon, Apple, Playstation Network, gas stations, restaurants, department stores, and grocery stores.  Ferguson and Casto either directly benefited from the expenditures or allowed others to benefit from the funds rightfully belonging to the Ideal Lakota Community. 

This case was brought pursuant to the Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies, to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities. The Guardians Project is another step of federal law enforcement’s on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination, and positive action on behalf of tribal communities. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the participating agencies include: the FBI; the Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development; IRS Criminal Investigation; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.

For additional information about the Guardians Project, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (605) 330-4400.  To report a suspected crime, please contact law enforcement at the federal agency’s locally listed telephone number.

This case was investigated by the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case.

Ferguson was ordered to self surrender to the U.S. Marshals Service on July 15, 2024 to serve her custody sentence.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Robert A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a St. Francis, South Dakota man convicted of two counts of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on July 1, 2024.

Charles Cordier, age 25, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Cordier was indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. He pleaded guilty on April 1, 2024.

On February 12, 2023, Cordier was in St. Francis when he struck a man in the face with a metal bar.  The victim suffered a mandible fracture and received medical care in Rosebud and in Rapid City for the injuries.  For most of the month of March, 2023, Cordier had been quarreling with another man.  On March 26, 2023, their feud came to a head when they encountered each other and the victim was armed with a chain and Cordier had a pistol.  Cordier fired his gun at the other man and struck him, fracturing a bone in his forearm.  This victim received medical care in Rosebud and Rapid City to treat his injuries.  Both assaults occurred within the Rosebud Reservation.

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 Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case.

Cordier was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal to serve his sentence.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Theodora Belt, age 47, and Bailey Belt, age 23, both from Bridger, South Dakota, of Second-Degree Murder, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. Bailey Belt was convicted of additional Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury charges involving a different victim, following a four-day jury trial in federal district court in Pierre, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on June 28, 2024.

Theodora Belt faces a maximum penalty of up to life in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Bailey Belt faces a maximum penalty of up to life in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $500 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

Both defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. 

The convictions stem from an incident that occurred on May 27, 2023, in Bridger, within the Cheyenne River Reservation. Theodora and Bailey Belt were at the victims’ home socializing. An argument began between the parties and the defendants assaulted victim #1 by punching, kicking, and beating him with a shovel. As victim #1 lay on the ground outside the home he was run over with Theodora’s car, ultimately killing him. In addition, Bailey Belt struck victim #2 in the head with a shovel, causing him to be life-flighted to Rapid City for medical treatment, where he survived. 

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. Attorneys Troy R. Morley and Brian J. Murphy prosecuted the case.

The defendants were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Swift Bear, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on June 24, 2024.

William Moran, age 35, was sentenced to two years and two 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.

Moran was indicted by a federal grand jury in December of 2023. He pleaded guilty on March 21, 2024.

On November 18, 2023, Moran was consuming alcohol and socializing with a group of individuals in the Swift Bear Community, near White River, South Dakota. While there, he assaulted a woman, punching her and knocking her to the ground. Thereafter, he repeatedly punched and kicked her in the head and face. Other people tried to intervene, but he resisted efforts to stop him from assaulting the woman. He knocked another person to the ground. The woman was treated at a hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota, because she suffered hemorrhaging in her cranium, and had respiratory failure due to a collapsed lung. The area where the assault occurred is within the Rosebud 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 Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.

Moran was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to serve his sentence.

ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Sisseton, South Dakota, man convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on June 24, 2024. 

Jay Adams, age 58, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $50 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.   

Adams was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2023. He pleaded guilty in November of 2023.

In the early morning hours of September 4, 1992, in the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation, Adams killed a young person, in the heat of passion, by slamming the victim’s head on a hard concrete floor. Afterward, he placed her back on the bed and returned to his bedroom. Adams did not seek medical attention for the victim and later the same day discovered she had died. Adams feigned ignorance as to the cause of the victim’s injury. An initial investigation failed to identify Adams as the assailant and the case remained unsolved for over 30 years.

In early 2023, a witness to the crime came forward and identified Adams as being responsible for the death of the victim in 1992. Law enforcement officers from the Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribal Police Department and the FBI continued the investigation. Prior to indictment in April of 2023, investigators conducted interviews of other individuals associated with Adams and consulted with a pathologist to review the 1992 autopsy performed on the victim. The medical evidence corroborated Adams eventual statement related to his guilty plea that he injured the child, which caused blunt force trauma and caused the child’s death.

“Tragically this matter took thirty years to resolve,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “But the resolution nonetheless demonstrates law enforcement’s relentless commitment to cracking these cases so that perpetrators can be held to account. It is our hope the Defendant’s sentence offers some measure of closure to the victim’s family.”

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 is part of the Department of Justice’s newly created Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which aims to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people through the resolution of MMIP cases and communication, coordination, and collaboration with federal, Tribal, state, and local partners.  The Department views this work as a priority for its law enforcement components. Through the MMIP Regional Outreach Program, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify MMIP cases and issues in Tribal communities and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. This prosecution upholds the Department’s mission to the unwavering pursuit of justice on behalf of victims and their families despite the passage of time.   

The investigation was conducted by the Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribal Police Department and the FBI. The case was prosecuted by MMIP Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Great Plains Region Troy R. Morley. 

Adams 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 Lawrence L. Piersol has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man, convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on June 24, 2024, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Stanley Richard Wright, age 48, was sentenced to two years and two months federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $100 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Wright was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in February of 2024. He pleaded guilty on March 27, 2024.

Wright was convicted on a federal charge of Sexual Abuse in 2004. He is classified as a Tier III sex offender and is required to register as a sex offender for life. Prior to the charged incident, he last registered with the Sioux Falls Police Department on September 29, 2023, listing an address in Sioux Falls. Shortly thereafter, he left his registered address and no longer resided there. His whereabouts remained unknown until he was arrested on a warrant on November 28, 2023. This violated the requirement that he update his registration to include any change of residence within three business days.

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 Beau Blouin prosecuted the case.

Wright was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to continue serving his sentence.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Transportation of Stolen Firearm. The sentencing took place on June 24, 2024.

Jeremiah Picotte, age 24, was sentenced to approximately five months in federal detention and three months of home confinement, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Picotte was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2024. He pleaded guilty on March 28, 2024.

On December 13, 2023, Picotte was visiting a federal firearm licensee store in Valentine, Nebraska. While in the store, he picked up an AR-15 rifle, went to an area of the store where the store clerk could not see, and put the firearm down his pant leg, concealing the rifle with his pants and shirt. He walked out of the store and took the firearm to the Rosebud Reservation. At the time he took the rifle from Nebraska to South Dakota, he knew it was stolen. He later had someone else return the firearm to law enforcement officers.

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 Valentine Police Department, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case.

Picotte was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to serve his sentence.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Sparks, Nevada,  woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and Failure to Appear. The sentencing took place on June 24, 2024.

Dawn Eagle Feather Floyd, 42, was sentenced to six and half years in federal prison on each of the two drug convictions to be served concurrently. She was sentenced to one year and eight months on the failure to appear conviction to be served consecutively to the drug convictions for a total of eight years and three months in federal prison. Following release from custody, Floyd will be on supervised release for four years. She was also ordered to pay a fine of $1000, and a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Floyd was indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2020. A superseding indictment was filed in May of 2023. She was found guilty of the drug charges following a federal jury trial on March 29, 2024. She pleaded guilty to the Failure to Appear charge on April 15, 2024.

Floyd lived in Valentine, Nebraska, in the fall of 2019, when she knowingly and intentionally agreed with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine within the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. Floyd conspired with others to travel to Colorado where she obtained methamphetamine and brought it back to her home in Valentine and then onto the Rosebud Reservation for distribution. Law enforcement recovered over 100 grams of methamphetamine from Floyd’s residence, vehicle, and person during the investigation. Floyd’s methamphetamine was tested and found to be 100 percent pure. While awaiting trial, Floyd, who had been released on bond, fled the District of South Dakota, and knowingly failed to appear for her jury trial that had been set for August of 2023. Floyd was arrested in Nevada and brought back to South Dakota to stand trial in March of 2024.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the Valentine Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Eagle Feather Floyd 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 Lake Andes, South Dakota, man, convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on June 25, 2024, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Reginald Robinson, Jr., age 31, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $100 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Robinson was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. He pleaded guilty on March 7, 2024.

On January 17, 2021, Sioux Falls Police responded to Walmart for a report of shoplifting. Upon arrival, law enforcement came into contact with Robinson. Robinson was searched and found to be in possession of a magazine located in his pants pocket and a firearm tucked into the waistband of his pants. Upon arrest and further search, Robinson was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Petersen prosecuted the case.

Robinson was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to continue serving his sentence.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Phillip Clairmont, age 25, of Parmelee, South Dakota, was found guilty of Attempted Robbery following a federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on June 21, 2024.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

Clairmont was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2024.  The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on January 13, 2024, in the Rosebud Indian Reservation. On that date, Clairmont assaulted a man and attempted to steal money from him.

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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Linda R. Reade has sentenced a Batesland, South Dakota, man convicted of six counts of Wire Fraud, one count of Larceny, and one count of Embezzlement and Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization. The sentencing took place on June, 20, 2024.

Julian Bear Runner, 39, was sentenced to 22 months in federal prison on each count to run concurrently, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $800 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $82,483.71 in restitution to the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

Bear Runner was indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. He was found guilty of wire fraud, larceny, and embezzlement following a three-day jury trial in April of 2024.

Between January of 2019 and January of 2020, at Pine Ridge, Bear Runner, while acting in his capacity as President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, fraudulently submitted travel vouchers for official business travel and received payment for travel that he was not entitled to as he was not actually traveling. Bear Runner submitted multiple travel authorizations to different locations outside South Dakota, including New Mexico, Montana, Ohio, North Carolina, New York, and Arizona, claiming the need to travel for official business. As a result of the fraudulently submitted travel authorizations, Bear Runner received more than $80,000 in advance travel payments but did not go on the travel. Instead, Bear Runner cashed the checks at a casino, gambled, and stayed in local hotels.

This case was brought pursuant to the Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies, to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities. The Guardians Project is another step of federal law enforcement’s on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination, and positive action on behalf of tribal communities. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the participating agencies include: the FBI; the Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development; IRS Criminal Investigation; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.

For additional information about the Guardians Project, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (605) 330-4400.  To report a suspected crime, please contact law enforcement at the federal agency’s locally listed telephone number.

This case was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Patterson and Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

Bear Runner 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 Sex Trafficking of an Adult by Force and Coercion. The sentencing took place on June 17, 2024.

Odarie Massiah, age 34, was sentenced to 27 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.

Massiah was indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. He was found guilty on March 14, 2024, following a three-day court trial.

The conviction stemmed from incidents between July 1, 2020, and September 24, 2022, when Massiah recruited and forced an adult woman to engage in prostitution. Massiah used physical and emotional abuse to gain the victim’s compliance. Massiah required the woman to give him the money received from the forced prostitution. Massiah fled the state with his victim after a warrant for his arrest was issued in Minnehaha County for physically assaulting her by strangulation on two separate occasions. Massiah was apprehended in Tennessee with his victim in August of 2022.

“Odarie Massiah went to great lengths to keep this victim engaged in prostitution,” said U.S. Attorney Ramsdell. “He manipulated her; he physically abused her; and he used the money she made through prostitution to support his own lifestyle. Massiah’s conviction and subsequent sentence demonstrate our office’s commitment to seeking justice on behalf of the victims of these reprehensible crimes. We do this work alongside our local and federal partners, whose persistence in identifying and investigating sex trafficking makes our communities safer places to live.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey C. Clapper and Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.

Massiah 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 Guatemalan man convicted of Illegal Reentry after Deportation; Trafficking with Respect to Peonage, Slavery, Involuntary Servitude or Forced Labor; Harboring Aliens; Extortion; and Possession of Firearm by Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on June 17, 2024, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

William Waldemar Godoy, age 32, was sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay restitution of $2, 810, as well as $700 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and was also ordered to forfeit $8,750.

Godoy was initially indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2022, but a superseding indictment was filed in March of 2024. He was convicted of Illegal Reentry after Deportation; Trafficking with Respect to Peonage, Slavery, Involuntary Servitude or Forced Labor; Harboring Aliens; Extortion; and Possession of Firearm by Prohibited Person after a jury trial on April 4, 2024.

The evidence at trial showed Godoy was bringing individuals into the United States illegally to work and then threatening them with physical or financial harm if they did not pay him for the smuggling fee and high interest rates. He was also convicted of illegally re-entering the United States himself after previously being deported. Evidence also showed he possessed firearms belonging to another individual despite being prohibited from doing so because he was unlawfully in 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 in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case.

Godoy was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to continue serving his sentence.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Flandreau, South Dakota, man convicted of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on June 17, 2024.

Jeremy James Simon, age 27, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Simon was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 27, 2024.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on September 23, 2021, when Simon intentionally distributed fentanyl to a third party who smoked the fentanyl and died. Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance. Simon is the second person to be sentenced for the death. Rundial Biliu of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, sold the pills to Simon that he ultimately gave to the victim. Biliu was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in April of 2023.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Flandreau Santee Tribal Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

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

ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced an Olympia, Washington, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on June 10, 2024.

Lawrence Swan, age 63, was sentenced to five 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.

Swan was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in January of 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 10, 2024.

This conviction stems from a conspiracy to purchase marijuana in Washington and transport it across the country to be sold in several other states, including South Dakota, that occurred between January 1, 2020, and December 13, 2021. During this time frame Swan made five different trips across the country distributing marijuana. On December 13, 2021, Swan was stopped outside of McLaughlin, South Dakota, and found to have over 80 pounds of marijuana, methamphetamine, and a large amount of cash in his possession. Swan admitted to distributing over 280 pounds of marijuana during the course of the conspiracy.

This case was investigated by the Corson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.

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