District of South Dakota

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Pierre, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on August 14, 2023.

Benjamin Loafer, age 63, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Loafer was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in January of 2023. He pleaded guilty on May 18, 2023.

Loafer was convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact in U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota, in 2008. As a result of this conviction, Loafer is required to register biannually and within three business days of a change in residence, employment, or education status. In February of 2022, Loafer completed a registration with the Pierre Police Department. At that time, Loafer advised the registering official that he would be relocating to Kyle, South Dakota. In June of 2022, it was discovered that Loafer did not complete an updated registration. Investigation revealed that Loafer resided in Kyle for approximately two months before returning to Pierre. Loafer failed to complete an updated registration after his changes in residence. Loafer was located in Pierre on August 12, 2022.   

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, the Pierre Police Department, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case.

Peneaux 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 a Mobridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on August 14, 2023.

Dana Aman, age 54, was sentenced to two and a half  years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Aman was indicted by a federal grand jury in October of 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 4, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from an investigation that began when postal inspectors in South Dakota were notified that an international package had been intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. The package originated in Navi Mumbai, India, and was addressed to Aman in Mobridge. The parcel was found to contain 50 boxes of silver blister packs containing orange pills, but labeled “Tapentadol Tablets 100 mg” for a total of 5,000 tablets. Tapentadol is a Schedule II controlled substance. During the course of the investigation Aman admitted that he would receive multiple pill packages, containing thousands of pills, from the source in India and then repackage and mail the pills to various individuals across the United States.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspector and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Aman 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 Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on August 14, 2023.

James Peneaux, age 56, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Peneaux was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in January of 2023. He pleaded guilty on May 18, 2023.

Peneaux was convicted of Sexual Contact with a Child Under the Age of 16 in Davison County, South Dakota, in 1989. As a result of this conviction, Peneaux is required to register quarterly and within three business days of a change in residence, employment, or education status. In March of 2020, Peneaux relocated from Sioux Falls to Mission. Peneaux initially complied with his registration requirements but failed to complete any registration after December of 2020. Investigation revealed that Peneaux was no longer residing at his registered address and his whereabouts were unknown until his arrest in December of 2022.

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

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case.

Peneaux 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 Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on August 14, 2023.

Scotty Old Horse, 28, 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.

Old Horse was indicted for Second Degree Murder by a federal grand jury in November of 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 17, 2023.

The conviction stems from Old Horse killing another man on November 2, 2022, at Kyle, when Old Horse struck him with his vehicle.

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.

Old Horse 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 an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Larry Chavez, age 26, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Chavez was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 20, 2023.

Beginning in January of 2021, Chavez and co-defendant Regina Maynard conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in and around Central South Dakota and on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance. Maynard was previously sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the Stanley County Sheriff’s Office and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

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

ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced an Aberdeen, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on August 14, 2023.

Tujuane Leno Lowry, age 46, was sentenced to seven 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.

Lowry was indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 24, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on June 18, 2022, in Aberdeen, when Lowry was observed on video holding a handgun he had pulled from a white tube sock. He was also observed on the video using methamphetamine. Lowry is a felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms. The firearm was later recovered by law enforcement and determined to have been a stolen firearm.

This case was investigated by the Aberdeen Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan N. Dilges and Carl Thunem 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.

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a man and woman from Winner, South Dakota, with two counts of Sex Trafficking of a Child. The man was also indicted for two counts of Production of Child Pornography.

Richard Alan Kucera, age 65, and Ivy Rose Heron, age 36, were indicted in August of 2023. Kucera appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 10, 2023, and Heron appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 4, 2023. Both pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and up to $400 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that in 2020 and 2021, Kucera and Heron intentionally recruited and enticed two juvenile females to engage in commercial sex acts. Both Kucera and Heron financially benefited from their participation in the illegal venture.

The Indictment also alleges that Kucera persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced the same two minor females to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct.

The charges are merely accusations and Kucera and Heron are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.

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.

Kucera was released on bond pending trial. Heron was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has been set for October 3, 2023.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Second-Degree Murder – Aiding and Abetting. The sentencing took place on August 11, 2023.

Lance Wahokiza Red Cloud, 28, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Red Cloud was indicted for Second Degree Murder – Aiding and Abetting by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 26, 2023.

The charge related to Red Cloud and two other individuals beating Robert Lynn Jumping Eagle to death in November of 2021 in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.

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 Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Ellsworth AFB Office of Special Investigations, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department conducted a joint sex-trafficking operation during the 2023 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.  The operation began on August 4, 2023, and continued through August 10, 2023.  

As a result, the following five men were arrested and charged:

Burton Dave Chief, Jr., 35, Rapid City – Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

Vincent Alberto Barrios, 42, Box Elder - Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

James Halen Dreamer, 41, Rapid City - Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

James Peter Fast Horse, 45, Rapid City - Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

Jacob Chinni Wilson, 38, Rapid City - Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

“Working with our law enforcement partners, we were able to take more dangerous sexual predators off the streets of South Dakota this week,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “We appreciate the exceptional collaboration between state, local, and federal agencies that made this operation a success.”

The mandatory minimum penalty upon conviction for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor is 15 years up to 30 years in federal prison; and any term of years, not less than five, up to lifetime supervised release.

The mandatory minimum penalty upon conviction for Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet is 10 years up to life in federal prison; and any term of years, not less than five, up to lifetime supervised release.

The charges are merely accusations, and all five defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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

The cases are being federally prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah B. Collins and Heather Knox.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that United States District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Arvin, California, man convicted of Use of a Communication Facility in the Commission of a Drug Trafficking Crime. The sentencing took place on August 11, 2023.

Eduardo Acosta, 24, was sentenced to 37 months custody in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Acosta was indicted for Use of a Communication Facility in the Commission of a Drug Trafficking Crime by a federal grand jury in June 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 26, 2023.

Acosta resides in California. His acquaintance, Victor Alfonso Leon-Pacheco, was in custody in Oklahoma. Acosta accepted payments for drug proceeds that were wired through money exchange services. This occurred multiple times between September 2021 and January 2022. Acosta also sent packages containing controlled substances to South Dakota at the direction of Leon-Pacheco. Acosta and Leon Pacheco utilized cell phones to communicate, which are also considered to be communication facilities.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, which is  local drug task force comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

Acosta will report to the Bureau of Prisons in September.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has convicted Ryder White Hawk Sierra, age 33, of Rapid City, South Dakota, of one count of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender following a court trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on August 9, 2023.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, a minimum of five years up to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Sierra was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2023. 

The charge related to Sierra failing to register and update his sex offender registration under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act between January and March of 2023.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for October 25, 2023. The defendant was 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 Mitchell, South Dakota, man/woman convicted of Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on August 7, 2023.

Justin Douglas Brende, age 43, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, 15 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Brende was indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 16, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from incidents between November 1, 2020 and October 3, 2021, when Brende knowingly received and distributed material which contained child pornography. Brende used his cellular phone to access the internet and subsequently searched for, received, and distributed child pornography.  On some occasions, he used his PayPal account as a means to pay money to access digital files that contained images and videos of prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of the prepubescent minors had not attained the age of 12.

This case was investigated by the DCI, the SD Internet Crimes Against Children, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Mitchell Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

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.

Brende 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 Lamar, Colorado, man convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on August 9, 2023.

Jose Dominguez, age 39, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, three years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Dominguez was indicted by a federal grand jury in January of 2023. He pleaded guilty on May 22, 2023.

On October 19, 2022, the Lyman County Sheriff’s Office received a driving complaint from concerned citizens traveling on the interstate.  The citizens reported a dark grey Toyota Corolla was driving erratically and in speeds in excess of 100 mph. Law enforcement located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. Dominguez was identified as the driver A search of the vehicle produced a Ziplock bag containing 212 grams of pure methamphetamine and several baggies common to distribution.  Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance. Dominguez admitted to officers he was transporting the drugs to an individual in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where it would be distributed.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the Lyman County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Dominguez 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 three Sioux Falls, South Dakota, men and one Sioux Falls, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and one Sioux Falls, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments.

Salvador Magana Madrigal, age 41, was sentenced on August 7, 2023, to 33 years and four months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.

Oscar Madrigal, age 30, was sentenced on July 27, 2022, 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.

Rosa Elena Magana Madrigal, age 65, was sentenced on August 15, 2022, to five years in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

William Burt Hartwick, age 54, was sentenced on November 21, 2022, to five years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Maria D. Magana-Zavala, age 53, was sentenced on December 27, 2022, to five years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

A sixth co-conspirator, Anahi Plascencia Cardona, will be sentenced on October 30, 2023.

All six defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in the summer of 2021. Oscar Madrigal pleaded guilty on April 4, 2022; Rosa Madrigal pleaded guilty on May 25, 2022; William Hartwick pleaded guilty on August 30, 2022; Maria Magana-Zavala pleaded guilty on October 4, 2022; and Salvador Magana Madrigal and Anahi Plascencia Cardona were found guilty of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering following a four-day federal jury trial in Sioux Falls on May 2, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from activities that started when Salvador Madrigal and Anahi Cardona, who are husband and wife, recruited other members of Madrigal’s family to assist them in obtaining large amounts of methamphetamine from California and distributing it in Sioux Falls. Salvador Madrigal and Cardona recruited Madrigal’s aunt and uncle, Maria Magana Zavala and William Hartwick, to transport methamphetamine by vehicle from California. Eventually Salvador’s brother, Oscar, became involved in the conspiracy by assisting his brother in transporting and counting shipments of methamphetamine. 

Salvador Madrigal, Jr. and Cardona, along with Salvador’s mother, Rosa Madrigal, also intentionally conspired to knowingly conduct wire/money transfers which involved the proceeds of unlawful activities. The group conducted numerous financial transactions intended to transfer the proceeds from methamphetamine sales, while concealing the nature and ownership of the money.

This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the IRS-Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

All five defendants were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following their respective sentencing.

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, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on August 8, 2023.

Anne Cordier, age 41, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Cordier was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2022. She pleaded guilty on April 13, 2023.

Beginning in January of 2022, Cordier conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in South Dakota. Cordier received pound quantities of methamphetamine from a source in California and re-distributed it on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, FBI, Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

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

ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Martin Black Cloud, age 19, of McLaughlin, South Dakota, was found guilty of Simple Assault as a result of a two-day federal jury trial in Aberdeen, South Dakota. 

The charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in federal prison and/or a $5,000 fine, one year of supervised release, and a $25 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.  

Black Cloud was indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. 

The evidence at trial showed that on June 22, 2022, in McIntosh, South Dakota, Black Cloud was drinking alcohol with his stepfather. Black Cloud quarreled with his stepfather and assaulted him, resulting in his stepfather’s hospitalization. Black Cloud then apologized to his stepfather, injured himself with a knife and fled. 

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

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carl Thunem and Cameron Cook prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation report was ordered and a sentencing date has not been set. Black Cloud remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Rusty James Driscoll, age 39, and Shauna Marie Gross, age 62, both of Kingman, Arizona, of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance following a four-day jury trial in federal district court in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on August 4, 2023.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in federal prison and/or a $10,000,000 fine, life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Driscoll and Gross were indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2022.

In 2022, Driscoll, Gross, and other co-conspirators agreed amongst themselves to distribute methamphetamine in South Dakota. In carrying out their conspiracy, Driscoll and Gross shipped multiple pounds of methamphetamine from Arizona to be redistributed in South Dakota. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance.

This case was investigated by the SD Division of Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS, and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

Presentence investigation reports were ordered and sentencing dates have not been set. The defendants were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man for Sex Trafficking of an Adult by Force and Coercion.

Odarie Massiah, age 33, was indicted in August of 2023. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on August 4, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

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

The Indictment alleges that between July 1, 2020, and August 8, 2022, Massiah knowingly and intentionally recruited an adult female into conducting commercial sex acts, and financially benefited from doing so.

The charge is merely an accusation and Massiah is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Sioux Falls Police Department and HSI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.   

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The sentencing took place on August 4, 2023.

Scott Deisinger, 52, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  He also forfeited his interest in three firearms and accompanying ammunition. Deisinger was indicted for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in October of 2022. He pleaded guilty on April 14, 2023.

On August 7, 2022, Rapid City Police Department pulled over a vehicle that had been reported stolen. Deisinger was the driver and sole occupant. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement located marijuana, approximately 90 grams of methamphetamine, items indicative of drug distribution, and three firearms. Two of the firearms had been reported stolen.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, which is a local drug task force comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

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. 

Deisinger 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 Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on August 4, 2023.

Zachary Kirschenmann, 27, was sentenced to three 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. He also forfeited his interest in firearms seized on August 1, 2022.

Kirschenmann was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in October of 2022. He pleaded guilty on April 28, 2023.

On August 1, 2022, Rapid City Police Department stopped a vehicle driven by Zachary Kirschenmann.  Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and located two firearms, a ballistics vest, several rounds of .45 caliber ammunition, a lockbox with assorted ammunition, and firearm optics.  A check of the firearms located showed one of the pistols had previously been reported stolen.  The two firearms were located in a backpack along with multiple forms of documentation belonging to Kirschenmann. Due to felony convictions in South Dakota, Kirschenmann is not legally allowed to possess firearms. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, which is  local drug task force comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

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. 

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Manderson, South Dakota, man for Second Degree Murder.

Sequoyah Mark West, Jr., age 29, was indicted in June of 2023. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on August 4, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

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

In April of 2023, at Manderson, West killed a man by beating and strangling him.

The charge is merely an accusation and West is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth is prosecuting the case. 

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Sisseton, South Dakota, man, who was convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on July 31, 2023, in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Larry Levi Finley III, age 26, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Finley was indicted for Sexual Abuse of a Minor by a federal grand jury in October of 2022. He pleaded guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact on May 4, 2023.

According to court documents, between approximately July and October of 2021, Finley engaged in abusive sexual contact with a minor victim. The victim was over 12 years but younger than 16, and she was unable to consent to the sexual contact. The abuse took place within the tribal lands of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe. 

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe’s Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

Finley was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on July 31, 2023.

Juan Crawford, 33, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. He was also ordered to forfeit his possession and interest in a firearm and the accompanying ammunition.

Crawford was indicted for Possession of Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in November of 2022. He pleaded guilty on April 14, 2023.

On September 29, 2022, law enforcement stopped a vehicle driven by Crawford in Rapid City. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement located a handgun that had previously been reported stolen in Isabel, South Dakota. Crawford is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms.

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Highway Patrol and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

Crawford 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 Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Peever, South Dakota, man, convicted of Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on July 10, 2023, in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Norbit Bellonger IV, age 23, was sentenced to five years in federal prison (the statutory maximum), 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.

Bellonger was indicted for Assault of an Intimate and Dating Partner by Strangulation and Suffocation, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury by a federal grand jury in December of 2022. He pleaded guilty to Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury on April 11, 2023.

According to court documents, in August of 2022, Bellonger committed an aggravated assault against the victim, who was a dating partner of Bellonger. Bellonger assaulted the victim by striking and strangling her. The victim sustained substantial injuries to her neck and face, among other places, as a result of the assault. 

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe’s Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

Bellonger 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 Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Sisseton, South Dakota, woman, who was convicted of Embezzlement and Theft from a Tribal Organization. The sentencing took place on July 31, 2023, in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Valette Keoke, age 52, was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $23,000. She was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Keoke pled guilty to a criminal information on May 4, 2023.

According to court documents, from about June of 2017 through July of 2020, Keoke embezzled and converted to her own use funds and other property belonging belonging to the Long Hollow District ("LHD") of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe ("Tribe".) During the relevant time period, Keoke was employed as the District Coordinator for the LHD, thereby making her an employee of a tribal organization associated with the Tribe. As part of her duties, Keoke processed checks from the LHD’s bank account. While working in that capacity, Keoke accepted checks payable to herself. Her offense conduct involved her unlawful receipt of approximately $23,000. The money she received derived from the LHD’s bank account. She was not entitled to that money, and her receipt of that money was unlawful.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.   

The 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:  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; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; U.S. Postal Inspector Service; 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 St. Francis, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on July 27, 2023.

Tanner Kills Enemy, age 25, was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Kills Enemy was indicted by a federal grand jury in January of 2023. He pleaded guilty on April 24, 2023.

Kills Enemy was convicted of Sexual Abuse in 2010. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender and to update his registration within three business days of relocation or changing employment. In October of 2022, Kills Enemy was released from prison and began a period of supervised release residing in St. Francis, but did not thereafter register or update his registration.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.

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.

Kills Enemy 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 Rapid City, South Dakota, woman convicted of Theft from Indian Tribal Organization. The sentencing took place on July 31, 2023.

Tiffany LaClaire, age 36, was sentenced to seven months in federal custody, 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. She was also ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

LaClaire was indicted for Theft from Indian Tribal Organization by a federal grand jury in July of 2023. She pleaded guilty on May 1, 2023.

The defendant had three children, but her parental rights were terminated in 2011 and the children lived with a new family. On July 19, 2021, the defendant fraudulently applied to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and requested $2,000 for each of her former children under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). In the application, she falsely indicated all three children were living with her and in her custody, and thus she was eligible to receive economic assistance for each of the children under the ARP. She was issued checks and used the money. The money never went to the benefit of the three children. Later, the family that was actually caring for the children learned the fraudulent application had been made by the defendant and the matter was reported and investigated.

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

LaClaire 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 Assault With a Dangerous Weapon. The sentencing took place on July 31, 2023.

Cordero Morris, a/k/a Cordero McIntire, age 36, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Morris was indicted by a federal grand jury in January of 2023. He pleaded guilty on May 10, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred near Mission, on September 15, 2022. On that date, Morris was riding in a vehicle driven by the victim, Morris’s spouse and intimate partner.  Morris and the victim subsequently got into an argument and Morris produced a knife, which he used to cut the victim on her arm. The victim stopped the vehicle and Morris got out, at which point the victim drove away. The victim then drove into Mission and went to the residence of a family member, who called 911. In April of 2023, while the case was pending trial, Morris called the victim from jail and attempted to persuade her to change her description of the incident and to say she did not remember what happened.

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

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.

Morris 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 Brookings, South Dakota, man convicted of Production of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on July 31, 2023.

Keenan Chidaushe, age 26, was sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $186 in restitution and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Chidaushe was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 5, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from incidents between November 8, 2021, and November 19, 2021, when Chidaushe, used his cell phone to record sexual activity with a minor female. Chidaushe knew the victim was under the age of 18. 

As a result of this conviction, Chidaushe will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from custody. 

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

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.

Chidaushe 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 Rosebud, South Dakota man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on July 31, 2023.

Isaiah Lucas Beck, age 20, was sentenced to two years and ten months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. He was also ordered to forfeit multiple firearms involved in the matter.

Beck was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. He pleaded guilty on May 1, 2023.

On August 31, 2022, Beck had a verbal confrontation with his father on Highway 83, south of Mission, South Dakota. During the argument, Beck’s father removed a Smith & Wesson pistol and a Del-Ton Incorporated rifle from Beck’s possession. The firearms belonged to Beck, who was an unlawful user of a controlled substance, thus prohibited from possessing any firearms. Both firearms were identified as being shipped and transported in interstate commerce and foreign commerce.

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 Abby Roesler prosecuted the case.

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man for Aggravated Sexual Abuse, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner.

Corey Yankton, Sr., age 36, was indicted in July of 2023. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on July 26, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

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

The charges relate to Yankton sexually abusing and assaulting a female at Wolf Creek in March of 2023.

The charges are merely accusations and Yankton is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth is prosecuting the case. 

Yankton was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has been set for October 3, 2023.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Pierre, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on July 31, 2023.

Devin Alexander Rosenblum, age 28, was sentenced to two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. He was also ordered to forfeit interest in a Sturm, Ruger & Company pistol involved in the matter.

Rosenblum was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in January of 2023. He pleaded guilty on March 16, 2023.

On October 26, 2022, the South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles issued an absconder warrant for Rosenblum. The Dakota Territory Fugitive Task Force adopted the warrant and arrested Rosenblum in Pierre on November 1, 2022. A bag in Rosenblum’s possession was searched and revealed a black Sturm, Ruger & Company Incorporated pistol. Rosenblum admitted the pistol belonged to his roommate and that he took it without permission. Rosenblum is precluded from possessing any firearms due to prior felony convictions. The pistol was identified as being shipped and transported in interstate commerce and foreign commerce.

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 U.S. Marshals Service, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Pierre Police Department, Hughes County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case.

 Rosenblum 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 Crow Creek, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Child Abuse. The sentencing took place on July 31, 2023.

James Drapeau, 35, was sentenced to two years and four months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Drapeau was indicted of the same charges by a federal grand jury in June of 2022. He pleaded not guilty and a jury trial was held in April of 2023. The jury found Drapeau guilty of both offenses.

Drapeau was convicted of assaulting his 14-year-old step-son, who was living in a home within the Crow Creek Reservation with Drapeau. Drapeau, frustrated over a perceived slight, beat the young victim relentlessly, with a broomstick and electrical cord. The victim was able to escape the back bedroom in which he was confined and run to the front living room. Drapeau caught up to the victim, threw him to the ground and proceeded to kick him about the body with shod feet. The young victim sustained significant bruising on his head, lower back, arms, buttocks, and legs as a result of the assault. 

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, Crow Creek Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

Drapeau 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 Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced two brothers from Box Elder and Rapid City, South Dakota, both convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. The sentencing hearings took place on July 28, 2023.

Elias Condon from Box Elder, 24, was sentenced to 15 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. Jordan Condon from Rapid City, 22, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Elias and Jordan Condon were indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in July of 2021. They were found guilty at the conclusion of a jury trial on May 24, 2023.

During the conspiracy, Elias and Jordan Condon regularly traveled to Denver, Colorado, to obtain methamphetamine and marijuana. Between October of 2020 and May of 2021, they traveled approximately 18 times, though not always together. When they returned to South Dakota, the methamphetamine and marijuana was provided to others for use and further distribution. Overall, they were responsible for approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine entering South Dakota.  During the course of the conspiracy, both men possessed firearms. 

This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, which is a local drug task force comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

Elias and Jordan Condon were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Gillette, Wyoming, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on July 21, 2023.

Amos Torres, 48, 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.

Torres was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 26, 2023.

During the conspiracy, which began no later than March of 2021, Torres conspired with multiple other persons in western South Dakota and surrounding states to obtain large volumes of methamphetamine. Torres then distributed the methamphetamine to others for use and further distribution. Overall, Torres was responsible for obtaining between 1.5 and 5 kilograms. During the conspiracy, Torres also possessed firearms.

This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich 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 that a federal grand jury has indicted a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, woman for Second Degree Murder.

Stacey Bissonette, age 26, was indicted in July of 2023. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on July 26, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

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

In June of 2023, near Pine Ridge, Bissonette killed a man by stabbing him.

The charge is merely an accusation and Bissonette is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins is prosecuting the case. 

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Gabriel White Plume, Sr., age 39, of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, of Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Use of Force, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Assault by Strangulation and Suffocation, Distribution of a Controlled Substance to an Individual Under 21, Tampering with a Witness,  Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to a Spouse, Intimate Partner, or Dating Partner, two counts of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Sexual Abuse following a four-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City. The verdict was returned on July 28, 2023.

White Plume faces any term of years up to life in custody and/or up to a $5,000,000 fine, a minimum of five years up to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each count.

White Plume was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2023.

The charges related to White Plume physically and sexually abusing his dating partner by the use of force at Manderson. The victim sustained substantial bodily injury from the physical assault and serious bodily injury from the sexual assault. Prior to being charged federally, White Plume was able to obtain a cellular device in his cell while incarcerated at Pine Ridge. White Plume used the cellular device to access Facebook in order to corruptly persuade his victim into dropping tribal charges. 

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. Attorneys Megan Poppen and Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for October 18, 2023. The defendant was 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 Plano, Texas, man convicted of Second Degree Murder and a Niobrara, Nebraska, woman convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.

Alexis Delarosa, age 33, was sentenced to 30 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. Delarosa’s sentencing took place on July 20, 2023.

Justina Tuttle, age 39, was sentenced to six years and eight months 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. Tuttle’s sentencing took place on December 27, 2022.

Delarosa and Tuttle were indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2021. Tuttle pleaded guilty on May 23, 2022. Delarosa pleaded guilty on March 22, 2023.

The convictions stemmed from an incident on December 21, 2020, at Wagner, South Dakota, when both Delarosa and Tuttle went to the residence of George Cournoyer, Jr. Once there, Delarosa and Cournoyer got into a physical fight which resulted in Delarosa hitting Cournoyer multiple times with a hammer. Tuttle joined in at some point and hit Cournoyer with a bat. Delarosa and Tuttle left the home without calling the police. Cournoyer died a short time later.

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

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.

Delarosa and Tuttle were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following their respective sentencings.

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 Attempted Enticement of a Minor. The sentencing took place on July 24, 2023.

Sky Thomas Roubideaux, age 23, was sentenced to 10 years 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.

Roubideaux was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2022. He was found guilty following a jury trial on April 20, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on March 7, 2022, when Roubideaux used his cell phone to attempt to coerce an undercover agent posing as a 15-year-old male to engage in sexual activity.  

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

This case was investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Sioux Falls Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the SD Internet Crimes Against Children task force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

Roubideaux 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 Anthony Red Elk, age 34, of Rapid City, South Dakota, of one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse and two counts of Sexual Abuse following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on July 21, 2023.

The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years up to a maximum of life in custody and/or a $250,000 fine on each count, a minimum of five years up to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each count.

Red Elk was indicted by a federal grand jury in November of 2021. 

The conviction stems from Red Elk engaging in a sexual act between 2008 and 2010, with a female minor who had not attained the age of 12 years, in Wanblee, on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Red Elk then sexually abused the same female in 2018 and 2019 in Wanblee.

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

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for September 25, 2023. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Joseph Thompson, Sr., age 32, of Lower Brule, South Dakota, of Voluntary Manslaughter following a three day jury trial in federal district court in Pierre, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on July 20, 2023.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. 

Thompson was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2023. 

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on March 25, 2023, in Lower Brule. Thompson was at the home of an acquaintance when he heard a disturbance outside the residence. Thompson left the residence, walked around the corner of the home and saw a man standing near the home.  Thompson produced a knife and stabbed the man five times, piercing his heart. There was no indication that the other man was displaying a weapon when Thompson fatally stabbed 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 FBI and the Bureeau of Indian Affairs - Office of Justice Service - Crow Creek Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal jury has convicted Edwin Giovanni Salinas, age 44, of El Salvador, of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on July 19, 2023.

Each charge carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum penalty of up to life in custody and/or a $10 million fine, five years to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. 

Salinas was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2023. 

On November 26, 2022, Salinas, along with his co-defendant, Berta Rosmelvi Gonzales, were pulled over during a traffic stop in northeast South Dakota. During a search of the vehicle, nearly 16 pounds of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, was located.  The search revealed 12 packages – two containing powder weighing over 3.5 pounds and 10 containing pills, totaling approximately 50,000. Gonzales entered a guilty plea to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance on July 20, 2023.

This case was investigated by the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe Law Enforcement, the Roberts County Sheriff’s Department, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services Dangerous Drug Enforcement Unit.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Petersen prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date has been set for October 23, 2023. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are cracking down on telemarketing operations responsible for billions of illegal calls to U.S. consumers. The initiative is called “Operation Stop Scam Calls.”

Enforcement actions target individuals and entities who deceptively collect consumers’ telephone numbers and then provide those telephone numbers to robocallers and others (falsely representing that these consumers have consented to receive calls), as well as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers who facilitate tens of billions of illegal robocalls every year. Significant actions have already been taken against individuals and entities who unjustly profited by facilitating the movement of money from scam call victims to fraudsters.

Illegal telephone calls interrupt cherished time with family and friends and, when they are used to commit fraud, can be financially and emotionally devastating.

The DOJ is taking action against those who trick people into phony consent to receive these calls and those who make it easy and cheap to place these calls.

Cases brought by the DOJ range from actions targeting fraudsters who directly contacted victims, to actions targeting those who provided scam call operators with the means to perpetrate their schemes. So far, the DOJ’s actions have contributed to over 180 actions taken by the federal and state partners participating in Operation Stop Scam Calls.

The DOJ and its partners urge consumers to be on the lookout for illegal calls, to take steps to minimize the number of illegal calls received, and to report any scam calls to law enforcement.

• Callers may pressure you to send money by trying to scare you. They may pretend to be someone you know who is in trouble, a government agency, or a major company. These are fraudsters. Hang up.
• Don’t trust your caller ID. It can be faked.
• If you answer the telephone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it’s potentially a robocall trying to sell you something. It is probably illegal and likely a scam.
• Only call a telephone number you know is real.
• Make sure your number is on the Do Not Call Registry, www.donotcall.gov, and consider using your telephone’s call blocking options or getting a call blocking app or service.

For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. To review a list of common transnational elder fraud scams, many facilitated by telephone calls, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch/transnational-elder-fraud-strike-force. 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Waubay, South Dakota, man for Escape from Custody.

Levi Ambrose Locke, age 32, was indicted in May of 2023. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on July 17, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

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

The Indictment alleges that on or about April 13, 2023, Locke escaped while in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons at Dismas Charities, Inc. Locke was serving part of a federal sentence when he allegedly left the premises and did not return.

The charge is merely an accusation and Locke is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.  

Locke was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, which has been set for September 19, 2023.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken sentenced a Sturgis, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Todd Deutsch, 55, 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.

Deutsch was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in October of 2020. He was found guilty following a jury trial on January 13, 2023.

During the conspiracy, Deutsch conspired with multiple other persons in western South Dakota, to obtain large volumes of methamphetamine from places like California, Nevada, and Colorado, and then worked with his co-conspirators to distribute the methamphetamine within the District of South Dakota, primarily in the Black Hills area.

This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET) and the Drug Enforcement Agency. UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gina S. Nelson and Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

Deutsch 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 Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Platte, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on July 17, 2023.

Vonda Hand, 67, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Hand was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. She pleaded guilty on April 14, 2023.

Between October of 2022 and February of 2023, Hand made arrangements to obtain methamphetamine in Arizona. She traveled there to pick it up, recruiting others to assist her, and then dispersed the methamphetamine to others in South Dakota. She knew that people in South Dakota were going to further distribute the substance. Overall, Hand was responsible for distributing between 5 and 15 kilograms of methamphetamine during the conspiracy.   

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Platte Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

Hand 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 Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Belle Fourche, South Dakota, man convicted of Concealment of an Event Affecting Title II Disability Entitlement. The sentencing took place on July 17, 2023.

Kevin Dodd Eisele, 60, was sentenced to one year of probation, ordered to pay $1,652.90 in restitution, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Eisele was indicted for Theft of Government Funds and Concealment of an Event Affecting Title II Disability Entitlement by a federal grand jury in March of 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 3, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from between July of 2020 and June of 2021, when Eisele knowingly failed to disclose a change in his household resources in order to continue receiving and spending his SSI benefits.

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on July 11, 2023.

Ramon Morales-Padilla, 42, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Morales-Padilla was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in July of 2021. He pleaded guilty on January 27, 2023.

Between July of 2020 and July of 2021, Morales-Padilla obtained methamphetamine from co-conspirators. He further distributed it to others for use and distribution in Rapid City. During the conspiracy, he possessed dangerous weapons. It was reasonably foreseeable to Morales-Padilla that at least four kilograms of methamphetamine would be distributed during the course of the conspiracy.

This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET) and the Drug Enforcement Agency. UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gina S. Nelson and Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

Morales-Padilla was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Denver, Colorado, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (heroin). The sentencing took place on July 10, 2023.

Arthur Manning, 56, was sentenced to nine 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.

Manning was indicted for two counts of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (heroin and fentanyl) and Money Laundering by a federal grand jury in December of 2021. He pleaded guilty on March 31, 2023.

Between October of 2020 and October of 2021, Manning supplied heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl to people located in South Dakota. He knew that people in South Dakota were going to further distribute the substances. Overall, Manning was responsible for distributing approximately two pounds of methamphetamine, 1,000 grams of fentanyl, and three pounds of heroin. Manning received payment in cash and through online money transfer services. 

This case was investigated by Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET) and the Drug Enforcement Agency. UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

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

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man was acquitted of Assault by Striking, Beating, or Wounding as a result of a federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota, on July 7, 2023.

Mario Lopez, age 22, was charged by a complaint filed in January of 2023.

The charge related to an alleged incident that occurred on January 20, 2023, in Todd County, South Dakota.

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.