District of South Dakota

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 Obscene Visual Representations of the Sexual Abuse of Children. The sentencing took place on July 10, 2023.

Michael David Quincy, 38, was sentenced to six years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and order to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Quincy will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Quincy was indicted for Receipt of Child Pornography and Obscene Visual Representations of the Sexual Abuse of Children by a federal grand jury in May of 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 29, 2023.

Quincy was federally indicted following a Cybertip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children in relation to suspected child pornography from Google. The Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce executed a search warrant on Quincy’s home and located multiple devices. A forensic examination of those devices found hundreds of images of computer-generated 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.

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 Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

Quincy 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 an Unregistered Firearm. The sentencing took place on July 10, 2023.

Ryan Reausaw, age 39, 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.

Reausaw was indicted for Possession of an Unregistered Firearm by a federal grand jury in November of 2021. He pleaded guilty on May 12, 2023.

In August of 2021, in Rapid City, Reausaw was found by law enforcement to be illegally in possession of a Remington Arms 12-gauge shotgun having a barrel length of less than 18 inches, which was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by law.

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

This 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.

Reausaw 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 Jacksonville, Florida, man convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet. The sentencing took place on July 7, 2023.

James Dean Hanapel, 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. Hanapel will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Hanapel was indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2021.  He was found guilty by a jury on April 13, 2023.

Evidence at trial established that Hanapel was arrested as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2021 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, targeting internet predators.  Following multiple chats and sexually explicit text messages with a person Hanapel believed to be a 14-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover agent, Hanapel proceeded to negotiate a time and place he would meet the minor to engage in unlawful sex acts. When Hanapel went to the pre-determined location to meet the minor, he was instead met by law enforcement agents and placed under arrest.

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

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, Homeland Security Investigations, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person was sentenced on July 7, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken.

Duane Starkey, age 33, 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.

Starkey was indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2022 and pleaded guilty in March of 2023.

The conviction stems from Starkey, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, being in possession of a SCCY 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol and Remington 9mm Luger ammunition in August of 2022 in Rapid City, which was found after Starkey came into contact with law enforcement.

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.

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

Starkey 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 Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of First Degree Murder and Discharge of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence. The sentencing took place on July 6, 2023.

Colton Bagola, 30, was sentenced to life in federal prison for the First Degree Murder charge and a consecutive 10 year sentence in federal prison on the Firearm charge. He was also ordered to pay $200 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Bagola was indicted for the charges by a federal grand jury in January of 2020. He was found guilty following a federal jury trial in Rapid City, South Dakota, in October of 2022.

The conviction stems from Bagola shooting a 30-year-old male in the back of the head killing him on December 17, 2019, at Pine Ridge.

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 Gina Nelson prosecuted the case.

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on June 30, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken.

Alex Jaramillo, age 36, 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.

Jaramillo was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2021 and pleaded guilty in March of 2023.    The conviction stems from Jaramillo conspiring with others to distribute methamphetamine in South Dakota and elsewhere between March and June of 2021.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.

Jaramillo 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 Wagner, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on July 6, 2023.

Zander Zephier, age 22, was sentenced to 21 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.

Zephier was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2022. He pleaded guilty on April 26, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on January 1, 2021, when Zephier knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, sexual contact with a child who had not attained the age of 16. Zephier will also need to register as a sex offender.

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

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on June 26, 2023.

Kyle J. Kirchhoff, 28, was sentenced to three years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and a $5,000 special assessment to the Victims of Trafficking Fund. Kirchhoff will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Kirchhoff was indicted for Production of Child Pornography, Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography by a federal grand jury in March of 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 10, 2023.

The conviction stems from Kirchhoff possessing child pornography that he self-produced between January of 2019 and February 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 Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, Homeland Security Investigations, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.

Kirchhoff 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 Michael Raymond Holst, age 48, of Rapid City, South Dakota, of Receipt of Child Pornography, Obscene Visual Representations of the Sexual Abuse of Children, and Possession of Child Pornography following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on June 29, 2023.

The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, a mandatory minimum of five years up to lifetime of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered. 

Holst was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2022. 

Evidence at trial established that law enforcement was alerted after Holst downloaded an image of child pornography off the internet that was later uploaded to his Synchronoss account. The Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce identified Holst as the owner of the account and executed a search warrant on his home where they seized multiple devices. A forensic examination of those devices found hundreds of images of child pornography and thousands of images of computer-generated 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.

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. Attorneys Sarah B. Collins and Anna Lindrooth tried the case.

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

SIOUX FALLS – The Department of Justice today announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which permanently places 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people.

“This new program mobilizes the Justice Department’s resources to combat the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons, which has shattered the lives of victims, their families, and entire Tribal communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will continue to accelerate our efforts, in partnership with Tribes, to keep their communities safe and pursue justice for American Indian and Alaska Native families.”

“These new positions represent the Justice Department’s continuing commitment to addressing the MMIP crisis with urgency and all of the tools at our disposal,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “MMIP prosecutors and coordinators will work with partners across jurisdictions and alongside the Tribal communities who have been most devastated by this epidemic.”

U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell stated, “Year after year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District South Dakota dedicates a significant portion of its resources to combatting crime and promoting public safety in Indian country. We are honored to have been selected as one of five districts to receive additional funding to hire an AUSA who will be specifically dedicated to MMIP matters. Given the urgency of the issue, we wasted no time in selecting an experienced attorney to serve in this capacity—Troy Morley, the District’s Tribal Liaison, will be the MMIP AUSA for the Great Plains Region.”

The MMIP regional program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to U.S. Attorneys’ offices promoting public safety in Indian country. The program fulfills the Justice Department’s promise to dedicate new personnel to MMIP consistent with Executive Order 14053, Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People, and the Department’s Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons issued in July 2022. 

The program will dedicate five MMIP Assistant U.S. Attorneys and five MMIP coordinators to provide specialized support to United States Attorneys’ offices to address and combat the issues of MMIP. This support includes assisting in the investigation of unresolved MMIP cases and related crimes, and promoting communication, coordination, and collaboration among federal, Tribal, local, and state law enforcement and non-governmental partners on MMIP issues. The five regions include the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast Regions, and MMIP personnel will be located within host United States Attorneys’ offices in the Districts of Alaska, Arizona, Eastern Washington, Minnesota, New Mexico, Northern Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, and Western Michigan. Programmatic support will be provided by the MMIP Regional Outreach Program Coordinator at the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA).

“The Executive Office for United States Attorneys and the United States Attorney community are committed to preventing and responding to cases of missing or murdered Indigenous people. To that end, we will work together with all relevant federal, Tribal, state, and local law enforcement partners to locate missing persons and solve crimes where they have occurred,” said EOUSA Director Monty Wilkinson. “This new program will allow the Department to build upon the work done by individual United States Attorneys’ offices and ensure continued support to those offices by coordinating outreach regionally on MMIP matters.”

More broadly, this MMIP Program will complement the work of the Justice Department’s National Native American Outreach Services Liaison, who is helping amplify the voice of crime victims in Indian country and their families as they navigate the federal criminal justice system. Further, the MMIP Program will liaise with and enhance the work of the Department’s Tribal Liaisons and Indian Country Assistant United States Attorneys throughout Indian Country, the Native American Issues Coordinator, and the National Indian Country Training Initiative Coordinator to ensure a comprehensive response to MMIP.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Hardin, Montana, man convicted of three counts of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The sentencing took place on June 26, 2023.

Harvey Hugs, age 59, was sentenced to three years in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $300. Hugs was also ordered to pay $70,000 in restitution for the 14 juvenile eagles that he killed.

Hugs was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2022. He was found guilty following a jury trial on February 14, 2023.

The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act makes it a crime for anyone to take, sell, purchase, and barter, bald and golden eagles and any parts and feathers of eagles. In February of 2020, Montana authorities received information that Hugs, who had been convicted of trafficking in eagles in 2012, was again involved in trafficking golden eagle feathers. Between August 20, 2020, and November 3, 2020, law enforcement utilized recorded phone calls and text messages in which Hugs offered to sell various eagle feathers. On two separate occasions, Hugs knowingly sold golden eagle tails for several hundred dollars each. On a third occasion, Hugs sold a set of golden eagle wings and a gold eagle tail for $1,000. For each sale Hugs mailed the golden eagle feathers to South Dakota and requested that the payment be wired to him, under his daughter’s name, in Montana.

A search warrant was executed at Hugs’ Montana home on March 3, 2021, where multiple items, including several eagle tails and wings, were seized. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Forensics Lab in Ashland, Oregon was able to determine that items seized from Hugs’ home genetically matched items Hugs sold and shipped to South Dakota during this case. In total, 14 juvenile eagles were genetically identified from the items seized.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Montana Game and Fish Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Hugs 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 Yankton, South Dakota, man convicted of Production of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on June 23, 2023.

Jason Sejnoha, age 44, was sentenced to 15 ½  years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $5,100, and restitution in the amount of $439.06.

Sejnoha was indicted by a federal grand jury in October of 2021. He pleaded guilty on March 20, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from incidents between May 6, 2021, and May 31, 2021, when Sejnoha intentionally hid a camera in a home to create video recordings. The camera was disguised to be part of an electrical outlet and was placed in the bathroom of a home in Yankton. Sejnoha used the hidden camera to create video recordings of unclothed minors.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Yankton 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.

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that a man from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. 

Israel Estrada, age 29, was indicted on May 2, 2023. He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on June 20, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment. 

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 15 years in custody, and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution and forfeiture may also be ordered.

According to the Indictment, on March 3, 2023, Estrada possessed a firearm, after having been convicted of a felony. The firearm had been previously shipped and transported in interstate and foreign commerce. 

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

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. 

The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case.

Estrada was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending further proceedings and trial. A trial date of August 29, 2023, has been set.

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 Making Counterfeit U.S. Currency. The sentencing took place on June 20, 2023.

Julian Huffman, age 28, was sentenced to 21 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. Restitution and forfeiture were ordered.

Huffman was indicted by a federal grand jury in December of 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 31, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from incidents between September 9, 2022, and November 21, 2022, when Huffman made dozens of counterfeit $20 Federal Reserve notes and passed them at various businesses in and near Brookings.

This case was investigated by the Brookings Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced two men from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, each convicted of Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments. The sentencings took place on June 12 and 15, 2023, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Antyon Hamilton Hogan, age 25, was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $563,127.06 in restitution, to forfeit his interest in money and personal property, as well as to pay $100 a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Cameron Terrill Hardiman, age 43, was sentenced to four years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $563,127.06 in restitution, to forfeit his interest in money and personal property, as well as to pay $100 a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Four co-defendants were previously sentenced in this case:

• Marvin Antuan Williams, age 32, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison;
• Keyvon Hamilton Hogan, age 22, was sentenced to two years in federal prison;
• Emilio Herrera, age 22, was sentenced to two years of probation; and
• Giovanni Hamilton Hogan, age 23, was sentenced to two years of probation.

In announcing these sentences U.S. Attorney Ramsdell stated, “This office will continue to pursue justice on behalf of the multiple individuals and financial institutions adversely impacted by these crimes. The sentences handed down in this case demonstrate the serious nature of these crimes and are a reflection of the hard work and cooperation of our state and federal law enforcement partners.”

“The sentencings and judgments imposed today against Mr. Hogan and his co-conspirators demonstrate that individuals who engage in these types of financial crime will be held accountable,” said Jamie Holt, Homeland Security Investigations St. Paul Special Agent in Charge. “The hours spent by agents to ensure a successful prosecution is a testament that HSI and our law enforcement partners are closely investigating criminal schemes for illicit financial gain.”

“Mr. Hogan and his co-conspirators engaged in a variety of financial crimes that included stealing checks from mailboxes and bank accounts,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Thomas F. Murdock, St. Louis Field Office. “The diligent pursuit of this group of thieves by IRS-CI and our law enforcement partners disrupted the scheme and brought them to justice.”

All six co-defendants were indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments by a federal grand jury in April of 2022. According to court documents, from 2020 to April of 2022, Antyon Hamilton Hogan, Hardiman, their four co-defendants, conspired with others to commit bank fraud. The scheme impacted multiple financial institutions throughout the Sioux Falls area and elsewhere, as the defendants obtained money from those banks by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises.

After obtaining funds through fraud, the co-conspirators engaged in depositing, transferring, wiring, and withdrawing currency and funds at financial institutions to conceal and disguise the proceeds of the fraud scheme.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation; Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Sioux Falls Police Department; U.S. Postal Service; and South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

Antyon Hamilton Hogan and Hardiman were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to continue serving their respective terms of imprisonment.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man for two counts of Possession of Child Pornography and Transportation of Child Pornography.

Jeffrey Michael Dicus, age 38, was indicted in June of 2023. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on June 9, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and up to $300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about between April 12, 2013, and February 8, 2023, and also between February 16, 2018, and February 8, 2023, Dicus knowingly possessed and attempted to possess material which contained images of child pornography that had been shipped and transported using an electronic device, and had been shipped and transported in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce.

The Indictment also alleges that on or about between January 5, 2017, and February 8, 2023, Dicus knowingly transported child pornography into his Dropbox account.

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

The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigation and the Sioux Falls Police Department. 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.

Dicus was remanded back to the custody of the State 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 Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on June 9, 2023.

Harland Bernard Johnson, 74, was sentenced to six years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and a $5,000 special assessment to the Victims of Trafficking Fund. Johnson was also ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution and will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Johnson was indicted for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Receipt of Child Pornography, and Possession of Child Pornography by a federal grand jury in November of 2021. He pleaded guilty on September 23, 2022.

The conviction stems from Johnson receiving child pornography between January of 2018 and February of 2021, at Rapid City.

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

This case was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, Homeland Security Investigations, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

Johnson 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 Rapid City, South Dakota, man for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

Christian Lorenzo Witt, age 30, was indicted in May of 2023. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann on June 9, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge relates to Witt, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, knowingly being in possession of a Glock GmbH pistol in Rapid City in March of 2023.

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

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.

The investigation is being conducted by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins is prosecuting the case. 

Witt 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 federal grand jury has indicted a Rapid City, South Dakota, man for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

Raymond Contreras, age 28, was indicted in May of 2023. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann on June 9, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge relates to Contreras, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, knowingly being in possession of a Sporting Arms Manufacturing shotgun in Rapid City in March of 2023.

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

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.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins is prosecuting the case. 

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

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 June 12, 2023.

Sylvan Larrabee, age 31, was sentenced to 17 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Larrabee was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. He pleaded guilty on March 16, 2023.

The conviction stems from conduct that occurred between December 9, 2022, and January 3, 2023, wherein Larrabee, who is required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of a federal conviction for Sexual Contact with a Minor, did knowingly fail to register and update his registration. 

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

Larrabee 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 Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer. The sentencing took place on June 13, 2023.

Dylan Blue Bird, age 30, 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.

Blue Bird was indicted for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer by a federal grand jury in November of 2022. He was found guilty after a jury trial on March 16, 2023.

On September 30, 2022, at approximately 11:30 pm, officers with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services attempted a traffic stop on Blue Bird after observing traffic violations in Todd County. Blue Bird did not stop and led officers on a high-speed pursuit on Highway 18, reaching speeds in excess of 110 miles per hour. During the pursuit, Blue Bird drove in the opposing lane of travel towards an officer engaged in the pursuit, forcing the officer off the roadway. The pursuit came to an end after officers deployed spike strips, disabling Blue Bird’s vehicle.

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

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that a man from Lebanon, Indiana, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments. 

Evan Frederick Light, age 20, was indicted on May 2, 2023.  He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on June 12, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment. 

The maximum penalty upon conviction for each charge is up to 20 years in custody, and/or a $500,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution and forfeiture may also be ordered.

According to the Indictment, in 2021 and continuing until May of 2023, Light conspired and agreed with others to defraud and to obtain money and property from others by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises. After obtaining funds through fraud, Light and others engaged in transactions with virtual currencies and electronic payments. These transactions were designed to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the fraud proceeds. 

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

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case.

Light was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending further proceedings and trial. A trial date has been set for August 15, 2023.

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, woman convicted of Concealment of Information from the Supplemental Social Security Income Program. The sentencing took place on June 12, 2023.

Dale Arthur, a/k/a Dale Hendricks, age 41, was sentenced to four months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $10,825.00, and ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Arthur was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2022. She pleaded guilty on March 16, 2023.

The conviction stems from conduct that occurred between December 9, 2022, and March 20, 2023, when Arthur fraudulently claimed financial benefits from the Supplemental Social Security Income Program for dependents that were no longer under her care, during time periods she was incarcerated, and was not entitled to benefit payments on behalf of another.    

This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.

Arthur 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. The sentencing took place on June 12, 2023.

Sydney Garreau, age 44, was sentenced to 12.5 years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Garreau was indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 22, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from a drug conspiracy beginning in February of 2021 and continuing until August of 2022, when Garreau was involved with several other individuals to distribute methamphetamine in and around the central South Dakota area, including on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation. Garreau received distributable quantities of methamphetamine from a source of supply and then distributed the methamphetamine to various individuals on the reservation.  Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance.

This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Garreau 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 Dupree, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Contact with a Person Incapable Of Consenting. The sentencing took place on June 12, 2023.

Floyd Traversie, age 21, was sentenced to three years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Traversie was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2021. He pleaded guilty on March 27, 2023.

The conviction stems from conduct that occurred between June 15, 2020, and June 30, 2020, at a residence in rural Ziebach County within the Cheyenne River Reservation. Traversie engaged in sexual contact with a 17-year-old female, who at the time was incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct and was physically incapable of declining participation in and communicating an unwillingness to engage in the sexual contact, knowing that the victim was incapacitated. 

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

Traversie 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 Tea, South Dakota, woman for Tampering with Consumer Products and Obtaining Controlled Substances by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Forgery, Deception, and Subterfuge.

Brittany Enstad, age 39, was indicted in June of 2023. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on June 7, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and up to $800 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between on or about July 1, 2022, and December 30, 2022, Enstad, who was employed as a licensed registered nurse at a medical facility, tampered with blister packs containing OxyContin, Hydrocodone Bitartrate, Oxycodone Hydrochloride, and Oxycodone and Acetaminophen, by removing the medications from their blister packs and replacing them with different medications.

The Indictment also alleges that during the same period of time, Enstad knowingly and intentionally acquired and obtained OxyContin, Hydrocodone Bitartrate, Oxycodone Hydrochloride, and Oxycodone and Acetaminophen, which are all Schedule II controlled substances.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the FDA, DEA, HHS-OIG, and Canton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.   

Enstad was released on bond pending trial, which has not been set.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on June 6, 2023, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Richard Paul Olson, age 33, was sentenced to three years and one month 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 and forfeiture of the firearm was ordered by the Court.

Olson was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 10, 2023.

According to court documents, during the execution of a warrant at Olson’s residence on April 21, 2022, law enforcement located a firearm loaded with a round in the chamber and four rounds in the magazine in his residence.  Olson was in possession of that firearm, storing it in his nightstand. Olson is prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous felony convictions.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service, SD Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

Olson 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 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man, convicted of Bank Robbery. The sentencing took place on June 5, 2023 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Ayub Ibrahim Mohamed, age 23, was sentenced to five years and three months 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.

Mohamed was indicted for Bank Robbery by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 1, 2023.

According to court documents, on August 23, 2022, Mohamed entered a Wells Fargo Bank in Sioux Falls, and demanded $200,000 from the tellers. Bank employees complied with Mohamed’s demands, providing $200,000. Mohamed took the bank’s money. Law enforcement responded in short order. Mohamed was apprehended outside of the bank and the money was recovered. 

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted an Oglala, South Dakota, man for three counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Kidnapping.

Drace Dreaming Bear, age 21, was indicted in March of 2023. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann on June 7, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

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

The charges relate to Dreaming Bear kidnapping, confining, and sexually abusing a female at Oglala between December 3 and 4, 2022.

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

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

Dreaming Bear was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has been set for August 15, 2023.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man for two counts of Production of Child Pornography.

Marc Jones, age 29, was indicted in May of 2023. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on June 1, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 30 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on March 23, 2023, Jones knowingly employed, used persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced two minor females to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct and knowing that such visual depictions would be transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

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

The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Sioux Falls Police Department. 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.

Jones was remanded to the custody of the State pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Porcupine, South Dakota, man for Involuntary Manslaughter and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

Robert Cottier, age 64, was indicted in May of 2023. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann on May 26, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for each assault count, and eight years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for involuntary manslaughter. Also $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each count and restitution may be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on February 18, 2023, near Porcupine, Cottier killed a man by operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner. Cottier is also alleged to have assaulted four other individuals, three of which were minors.

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

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

Cottier was released on conditions pending trial. A trial date has been set for August 1, 2023.

ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Fort Yates, North Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on June 5, 2023.

Calvin Killspotted, a/k/a Sonesakda Killspotted, age 41, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $3,954, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Killspotted was indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury by a federal grand jury in August of 2021. He pleaded guilty on May 17, 2022.

On June 3, 2021, near Little Eagle, South Dakota, within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation, Killspotted punched his dating partner and broke her jaw.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Standing Rock Agency, and the Corson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.

Killspotted 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 Little Eagle, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on June 5, 2023.

Raul Tomas Mata, age 22, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $5,150.31, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Mata was indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury by a federal grand jury in July of 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 14, 2023.

On April 29, 2022, in Little Eagle, within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation, Mata fired a rifle from a vehicle towards several houses. One of the bullets Mata fired struck a three-year-old child in the abdomen, causing her serious and life-threatening bodily injury.  

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 Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Standing Rock Agency, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Corson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has convicted Elias Condon, age 24, and Jordan Condon, age 22, both of Rapid City, South Dakota, of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance following a two-day court trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on May 24, 2023.

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

Elias Condon and Jordan Condon were indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2021. During their involvement in the conspiracy, the brothers made multiple trips to the Denver, Colorado, area where they purchased methamphetamine. They then returned to South Dakota and distributed the methamphetamine to others to further sell or use.  Several times the defendants brought firearms to trade for the methamphetamine. Two co-conspirators have already pleaded guilty to their involvement. Edward Ybarra was sentenced to 15 ½ years in federal prison on March 3, 2023.  Ramon Morales-Padilla will be sentenced on July 21, 2023.

This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), which 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.

A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing dates are pending. The defendants were 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 White River, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on May 22, 2023.

Justin Moreno, age 34, was sentenced to nine years and six months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Moreno was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 9, 2023.

The conviction stems from conduct that occurred on January 2, 2022, in Mellette County, South Dakota, wherein Moreno engaged in sexual contact with an adult female by the use of force.

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

Richards 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 sentenced a Houston, Texas, man, convicted of Bank Larceny. The sentencing took place on May 15, 2023, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Alton Himes, age 25, was sentenced to 19 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay approximately $100,000 in restitution and $100 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Himes was indicted for Bank Larceny and Transportation of Stolen Money by a federal grand jury in September 2022. He pleaded guilty to Bank Larceny on March 1, 2023.

According to court documents, on December 2, 2021, in the early morning hours, Himes, and his three co-defendants, approached an automated teller machine (ATM) belonging to Dakotaland Federal Credit Union located in Madison, South Dakota. One of the vehicles that Defendant Himes and his co-defendants were driving at that time was a stolen Ford F-350 pickup truck. The truck was stolen from a parking lot located on the campus of South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota.

Himes and his co-defendants used the stolen truck and towing equipment, including straps and J-hooks, to physically break into the ATM and remove three cash boxes. After forcefully removing the boxes, Himes and his co-defendants stole the boxes and fled the area in the stolen pickup truck. They then traveled across state lines with the stolen cash.

The ATM was destroyed in the process of the larceny and was deemed a total loss, costing over $30,000 to replace. The total amount of cash stolen was $32,300, and it belonged to Dakotaland Federal Credit Union.

Himes’s co-defendants – Kytorrion Young, Keivon Jones, and Kendrick Kennedy – knowingly participated with Himes in carrying out bank larceny. Each is awaiting sentencing.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

Himes 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 sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man, convicted of Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments. The sentencing took place on May 17, 2023, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Keyvon Hamilton Hogan, age 23, was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $563,127.06 in restitution, to forfeit his interest in money and personal property, as well as to pay $100 a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Hogan was indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments by a federal grand jury in April 2022. He pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments on November 9, 2022.

According to court documents, from 2020 to April 2022, Hogan, along with his co-defendants, conspired with others to commit bank fraud. The scheme impacted multiple financial institutions and individuals throughout the Sioux Falls area and elsewhere, as the defendants obtained money from those banks by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises. After obtaining funds through fraud, Hogan and his co-conspirators engaged in depositing, transferring, wiring, and withdrawing currency and electronic funds at financial institutions to conceal and disguise the proceeds of the fraud scheme.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation; Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations; Sioux Falls Police Department; U.S. Postal Service; and South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

Hogan 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 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on May 22, 2023.

Adrian Fast Dog, 43, was sentenced to three years and seven 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.

Fast Dog was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in August of 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 13, 2023.

Fast Dog was convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse on October 15, 2001. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender and update his registration within three business days of relocation or changing employment or student status. Fast Dog last registered in June of 2021, providing a motel in Sioux Falls as his address. Subsequent address verification checks conducted by law enforcement revealed Fast Dog was not residing at the motel. Fast Dog’s whereabouts were unknown until he was arrested on July 27, 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 Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case.

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Porcupine, South Dakota, man convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on May 22, 2023.

Trey New Holy, 30, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

New Holy was indicted for Second Degree Murder by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 17, 2023.

The conviction stems from New Holy beating an individual after an altercation on September 3, 2022, in Porcupine. The victim sustained multiple blunt traumatic injuries to his head and body.  He ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

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.

New Holy 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 Distribution of a Controlled Substance to a Person Under Age 21. The sentencing took place on May 22, 2023.

Jeremy Richards, age 29, was sentenced to five years and one month in federal prison, followed by six years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Richards was indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 27, 2023.

The conviction stems from conduct that occurred between January 1, 2021, and January 1, 2022, in Todd County, South Dakota, wherein Richards distributed methamphetamine to a juvenile who was between 16 and 17 years old.

This case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.

Richards 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 Robbery and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. The sentencing took place on May 18, 2023.

Eric Blue Bird, 31, was sentenced to two ten-year terms in federal prison, to run consecutively, followed by three years of supervised release. Blue Bird was also ordered to pay restitution and a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Blue Bird was indicted for Kidnapping, Assault on a Federal Officer, and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon by a federal grand jury in January of 2022. He pleaded guilty on November 14, 2022.

The conviction stems from Blue Bird robbing and assaulting a federal law enforcement officer on January 16, 2022, while he was incarcerated at the Oglala Sioux Tribe Adult Offender Facility.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

Blue Bird 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 an Alcester, South Dakota, woman for ten counts of Wire Fraud.

Michelle Warner, age 56, was indicted in May of 2023. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on May 18, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and up to $1,000 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that beginning on or about June 1, 2018, and continuing through May 17, 2022, Warner, who was employed as a bookkeeper/accountant, and later as a business administrator, devised and intended to devise a scheme and artifice to defraud and obtain money and property from others by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises.

The Indictment alleges that Warner, in her capacity as bookkeeper/accountant and business administrator, falsely and fraudulently paid herself additional and unauthorized payroll payments and then used the funds for her own purposes.  Warner also caused her employer to remit payroll tax to the Internal Revenue Service on her behalf. Such funds purportedly came from withholding from Warner’s payroll check, when in fact, as Warner then and there knew, she did not actually withhold those funds from her payroll check. Additionally, Warner used her employer’s credit card without authority for her own personal use.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Union County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Sioux City (NE) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.   

Warner was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Wakonda, South Dakota, man convicted of Theft in Connection with Health Care. The sentencing took place on May 15, 2023.

Cody Carstensen, age 47, was sentenced to two years of probation and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Carstensen was also ordered to pay restitution.

Carstensen was indicted by a federal grand jury in October of 2022. He pleaded guilty on January 23, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from incidents between June of 2019 and February of 2022, when Carstensen, who was a registered pharmacist in Scotland, South Dakota, knowingly and willfully embezzled, stole, and converted without authority several drugs valued at more than $100.

Carstensen, in his capacity as pharmacist, received deliveries of controlled substances intended for a hospital and pharmacy. Instead of placing all of the delivered controlled substances in the inventory for the hospital and pharmacy, he stole the substances from several deliveries and used them for his own purposes.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Robert Walter White, age 35, was indicted in May of 2023. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on May 10, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that White, who had previously been convicted of a sex crime and required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, failed to do so between February 23, 2023, and May 2, 2023.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. 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.

White was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, which has been set for July 18, 2023.

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 Ammunition by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on May 15, 2023.

Travis Maho, 34, 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.

Maho was indicted for Possession of Ammunition by a Prohibited Person and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 24, 2023.

In June of 2022, in Rapid City, Maho, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing ammunition, was knowingly in possession of 7.62x54 caliber, .32 caliber, and .45 Auto caliber ammunition, which was found after Maho came into contact with law enforcement. Maho was also in possession of distributable quantities of methamphetamine.

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.

Maho 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 and a Mellette County, South Dakota, woman, in a case that involved charges of Second Degree Murder, First Degree Burglary, and related firearms offenses.

Sativa Looking Cloud, age 21, pleaded guilty on January 18, 2023, to Second Degree Murder and First Degree Burglary. On May 8, 2023, Looking Cloud was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Stephen Fallis, age 30, pleaded guilty on January 19, 2023, to Possession of a Stolen Firearm and Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. On May 1, 2023, he was sentenced to eight years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and order to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crimes Victim Fund.

Looking Cloud and Fallis will also forfeit ownership of all firearms and ammunition seized in the case. Restitution may also be ordered. Looking Cloud and Fallis were indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2022.

The case stemmed from two separate incidents that occurred in Mellette County in February of 2022. In the early morning hours of February 16, 2023, Looking Cloud and Fallis went to a residence in Mellette County. Both were in possession of handguns. Looking Cloud entered the residence without permission and argued with the occupants. She then produced a 9mm handgun and fired multiple shots in the direction of the occupants, causing them to flee into another room.  Looking Cloud and Fallis then departed the residence in their vehicle. The occupants of the residence called 911. 

On the morning of February 17, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Fallis’s Todd County residence, seizing multiple firearms, including two firearms bearing obliterated serial numbers.

On the evening of February 17, 2022, Fallis and Looking Cloud were at a residence in Mellette County. Looking Cloud got into an argument with a woman and produced 9mm handgun. She fired a single shot at the woman at point blank range, striking her in the chest. Looking Cloud and Fallis fled the residence. The occupants of the residence heard the gunshot and called 911. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. 

In the early morning hours of February 18, 2022, Looking Cloud was arrested in Mellette County.  The 9mm handgun used by Looking Cloud was seized as evidence.

On March 1, 2023, Fallis was located at a residence in Vermillion, South Dakota, and placed under arrest. A 9mm handgun was seized from his person. Fallis admitted to being an unlawful user of controlled substances.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, U.S. Marshals Service, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Vermillion Police Department, 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.

Looking Cloud and Fallis 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 Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Larceny. The sentencing took place on May 8, 2023.

Dustin Gallegos, Jr., age 25, was sentenced to all time served through November 8, 2023, equal to approximately 10 months in custody, followed by three years of supervised release. He was further ordered to pay restitution of $9,908.13, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Gallegos was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 2, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on March 7, 2022, in Todd County, South Dakota. On that date, Gallegos was driving a motor vehicle on U.S. Highway 83, when he lost control of his vehicle and wrecked. A passing motorist stopped to assist and let Gallegos wait with her in her vehicle for first responders to arrive. When law enforcement arrived at the scene, the woman got out of her vehicle to speak to an officer, at which point Gallegos got in the driver seat and stole the vehicle and drove away. The vehicle was later recovered in Mission.

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

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

SIOUX FALLS - 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 Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on May 8, 2023.

Daymon Oliver, 41, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Oliver was indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 6, 2023.

On the evening of July 19, 2022, Oliver and the victim were consuming alcohol at their residence in Mission, South Dakota. Also present in the home were their two children. The victim fell asleep in their daughter’s room but awoke in the early morning hours to use the restroom. Oliver was also awake, and an argument ensued. The altercation became physical, and Oliver struck the victim in the face at least four times. The assault ended when their daughter intervened. The victim suffered a broken jaw that required surgical repair.

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

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Distribution of a Controlled Substance to an Individual Under 21 Years of Age, was sentenced on May 1, 2023, by Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Charles Richards, Jr., age 53, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by six years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. 

Richards was indicted for the charge by a federal grand jury, and pleaded guilty in February of 2023. The conviction stems from Richards distributing controlled substances to children under 21 years of age between June and July of 2019.

The case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Poppen and Heather Sazama prosecuted the case.

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