District of South Dakota

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

Knel-Philip Chery, age 38, was charged on December 17, 2019.  Chery appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on January 22, 2020, and pleaded not guilty to the charge.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge relates to Chery, a previously convicted felon, being in possession of a Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic pistol in October 2019 at Rapid City.  The charge is merely an accusation and Chery 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson is prosecuting the case.

Chery was detained pending trial.  A trial date has not been set. 

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Hartford, South Dakota, man convicted of Unlicensed Receipt of Explosive Materials was sentenced on January 7, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Gerald “Jerry” Eldon Gosmire, age 60, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Gosmire was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 9, 2019.  He pled guilty on November 1, 2019.

On November, 27, 2018, law enforcement officers searched Gosmire's property pursuant to a search warrant.  During the search, 37 explosive devices were found.  A permit was required to possess explosive devices of that nature and Gosmire did not have one.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office, and the U.S. Secret Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

Gosmire was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Flandreau, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child.

Cecil Long, age 67, was indicted on January 7, 2020.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on January 10, 2020, and pled 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 $300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between August 31, 2010, and August 30, 2013, and between August 31, 2015, and August 30, 2016, Long knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, sexual acts with a child who had not attained the age of 12.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.   

Long was released on bond pending trial, which has been set for March 17, 2020.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

Carlee Lucia Condon, age 22, was indicted on January 14, 2020.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 16, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on July 2, 2019, Condon, being an unlawful user of and addicted to methamphetamine, knowingly possessed a handgun.

The charge is merely an accusation and Condon 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.   

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

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Dayton Charles Nordstrom, age 30, was indicted on January 7, 2020.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on January 16, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

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

The Indictment alleges that on or about December 9, 2019, Nordstrom possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine, which is a Schedule II controlled substance. 

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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer D. Mammenga is prosecuting the case.   

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

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Possession of Child Pornography was sentenced on January 6, 2020, by Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Paul Heib, age 51, was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison and 5 years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Heib was one of seven men who were arrested and federally indicted as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2018 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, targeting persons willing to pay to have sex with minors obtained through the Internet.  The conviction stemmed from Heib communicating with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old boy, but who was in fact an undercover agent, for the purpose of arranging a meeting to engage in sexual acts with the minor.

  
The undercover operation and arrests were a joint effort between the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins prosecuted the case.

Heib was immediately remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service.          

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that Rapid City, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Possession of Child Pornography.  

Vance Allan Warthen, age 29, was charged on January 15, 2020.  Warthen appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on January 17, 2020, and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is a mandatory minimum of 15 up to 30 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, a mandatory minimum of 5 years up to lifetime supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Warthen sexually exploiting an underage female in August 2019 at Rapid City by producing images of child pornography. He remained in possession of the images thereafter.  The charges are merely an accusation and Warthen is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s office   Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins is prosecuting the case.

Warthen was detained pending trial.  A trial date has not yet been set. 

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Fort Thompson, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Carjacking, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Robbery.

AbuBarker Shabbaz-Evans, a/k/a Abu Barker Evans, age 24, was indicted on January 14, 2020.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 17, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 40 years in federal prison and/or a $750,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on September 15, 2019, Shabbaz-Evans took a motor vehicle from an individual with the intent to cause death and serious bodily injury and further assaulted the victim with a metal object shaped like a pistol.  The indictment further alleges that on January 1, 2020, Shabbaz-Evans attempted to take pre-paid gasoline and United States Currency from the presence of 2 individuals.

The charges are merely accusations and Shabbaz-Evans is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.   

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

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Calvin Edwards, Jr., age 41, was indicted on January 14, 2020.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 21, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years in prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine, at least 3 years, up to a lifetime of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each Count.  Restitution may also be ordered. 

The Indictment alleges that on or about July 1, 2019, Edwards knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, a schedule II controlled substance

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.   

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

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that am Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer.

Silas Condon, age 24, was indicted on January 14, 2020.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 16, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 8 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that December 6, 2019, Condon forcibly assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, intimidated, and interfered with a federal officer while the officer was in the performance of his official duties and said contact did involve physical contact with the officer.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.   

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

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Chery Creek, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Kate Doreen Condon, age 44, was indicted on January 14, 2020.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 16, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years in prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine, at least 3 years, up to a lifetime of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each Count.  Restitution may also be ordered. 

The Indictment alleges that on or about July 1, 2019, Condon knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, a schedule II controlled substance

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.   

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

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography.  

Nikolas John Larson, age 39, was charged on December 17, 2019.  Larson appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on January 8, 2020, and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is a mandatory minimum of 5 up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to lifetime supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Larson receiving and possessing child pornography between January 2009 and October 2019 at Rapid City.   The charges are merely an accusation and Larson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is a joint effort between the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins is prosecuting the case.

Larson was released pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with Kidnapping of a Minor by a Registered Sex Offender and Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity by a Registered Sex Offender.  

Christopher Bald Eagle, age 65, was charged on January 7, 2020.  Bald Eagle appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter in Denver, Colorado, on December 31, 2019, and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  The penalty upon conviction is a mandatory minimum of 25 years up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, a minimum of 5 years up to lifetime supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Bald Eagle unlawfully transporting a minor female from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, to Colorado in December 2019, with the intent to engage in illegal sexual activity.  The charges are merely an accusation and Bald Eagle is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Denver Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins is prosecuting the case.

Bald Eagle was detained and will be transported to South Dakota at a future date.  A trial date has not been set. 

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, woman convicted of Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises was sentenced on January 14, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Andrea Circle Bear, a/k/a Andrea High Bear, age 29, was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Circle Bear was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 12, 2019.  She pled guilty on October 7, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from several incidents in April of 2018, when Circle Bear unlawfully and knowingly used and maintained a place for the purpose of distributing methamphetamine on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation.

“It is federal crime to knowingly allow a drug dealer to operate out of your home, apartment, or place of business,” said U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons.  “Don’t let yourself or your property get mixed up in the world of illegal drugs.  It ends badly.”

This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.

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

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child was sentenced on January 13, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Lawrence Richard Oakie, a/k/a “LBJ”, age 38, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison, followed by 7 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Oakie was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 13, 2018.  He was found guilty by a jury trial on September 5, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on September 2, 2017, when Oakie was at the residence of the victim and entered her room in the middle of the night, and engaged in sexual contact with the minor child who had not attained the age of 12 years. 

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

Oakie was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine was sentenced on January 13, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Franki Lee Zephier, age 33, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Zephier was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 14, 2018.  She pled guilty on October 21, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from Zephier’s involvement in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in 2016. Zephier conspired with others to knowingly and intentionally distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. In exchange for drugs and money, Zephier allowed her home to be used for the sale of methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Chamberlain Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Sioux Falls Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.

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

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Possessing, Distributing, and Producing Child Pornography as a result of a federal jury trial in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on October 30, 2019, was sentenced on January 13, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Kevin Allen Lamm, a/k/a Kevin Malone, age 35, was sentenced to 360 months on each count to be served concurrently in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release on each count to be served concurrently, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $300.

Lamm was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 9, 2017.  

The conviction stemmed from incidents between January 12, 2017, and April 27, 2017, when Lamm knowingly received and possessed child pornography.  The investigation also revealed that Lamm created a fake Facebook account and used it to persuade a 14 year-old girl in another state to send sexually explicit photographs to him using Facebook Messenger.  When law enforcement searched his Sioux Falls apartment, they found child pornography images and videos on a digital memory card.  Lamm's sentence was enhanced because he had previously been convicted of a child pornography offense in Lake County, South Dakota, in 2006

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

Lamm was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography was sentenced on January 13, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Timothy Tyler Segich, age 38, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $5,100.

Segich was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 8, 2019.  He pled guilty on November 1, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from text messages Segich sent to a 14 year-old girl in April 2018.  In the texts, Segich requested the girl send nude photos of herself to him on his cell phone.  His attempt to obtain child pornography was discovered when law enforcement searched the girl's phone with her parents' consent.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force in David County, Utah.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

Segich was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on January 13, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Jacqueline Roberta Little Sack, age 41, was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Little Sack was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 16, 2019.  She pled guilty on October 21, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from a conspiracy between Little Sack and others during the early part of 2019, where Little Sack used her home on the Rosebud Indian Reservation as a place where methamphetamine was distributed.  The conspiracy involved over 50 grams of methamphetamine.         

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

Little Sack was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse was sentenced on October 21, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Shawn Iron Hawk, age 25, was sentenced to 132 months in federal prison, followed by 7 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Iron Hawk was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 21, 2019. He pled guilty on July 31, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on December 30, 2018, when Iron Hawk entered the victim’s residence while she was sleeping and sexually assaulted her by use of force.  

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.

Iron Hawk was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, woman convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced by Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court Judge.

Esmeralda Stands, age 38, was sentenced on January 6, 2020, to time served and 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $972.37 in restitution.

The charge related to Stands being in possession of a stolen .45 caliber revolver in January 2019 at Rapid City, which was found after Stands came into contact with a Rapid City police officer.

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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.

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.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault on a Federal Officer was sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann.

Jourdan Brown, age 23, was sentenced on December 23, 2019, to 10 months in a federal prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release, and a $25 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The charge related to Brown lowering his shoulder and striking the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety officer in the chest, after the officer responded to a theft call at a business in Pine Ridge.

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

Brown was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mandan, North Dakota, man convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child and Aggravated Incest was sentenced on January 9, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Ronnie White Mountain, age 51, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

White Mountain was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 11, 2019. He was found guilty by a jury trial on September 5, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from an incident, which occurred sometime between January 2010 and December 2012, when White Mountain was visiting relatives in McLaughlin, South Dakota, on the Standing Rock Reservation.  Following a night of drinking, White Mountain returned to a family members home and knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a minor victim who had not attained the age of 12 years old. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirsten Jasper prosecuted the case.

White Mountain was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that the District of South Dakota collected $3,725,183.70 in criminal and civil actions in FY 2019.  Of this amount, $3,378,146.19 was collected in criminal actions and $347,037.51 was collected in civil actions.  The overall 2019 collections figure reflects a 72% increase over the FY 2018 total of $2,163,413.53. 

As a whole, the Department of Justice collected over 9 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2019. 

Additionally, the District of South Dakota, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $69,526 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2019. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

“The recovery of these funds is a critical component of our mission,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons.  “The impressive increase in recovered dollars in 2019 is testament to the excellent work of our Civil Division and Financial Litigation Unit under the leadership of our Civil Chief Diana Ryan.  These recovered dollars continue to play a vital role in helping crime victims and preventing losses to the American taxpayer.”

In addition to collecting $3.38 million in FY 2019, the District of South Dakota has already collected $20,250,000 in FY 2020 in a false claims act settlement.  

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims.  The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss.  While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that Julia Pease, Ft. Thompson, South Dakota, and Chad Pease, Chamberlain, South Dakota, were convicted of Aiding and Abetting Sexual Abuse of a Minor, and sentenced by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Julia Pease, age 25, was sentenced on November 18, 2019, to 24 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Chad Pease, age 25, was sentenced on January 2, 2020, to 34 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Julia Pease and Chad Pease were indicted by a federal grand jury on March 12, 2019.  Julia pled guilty on August 27, 2019, and Chad pled guilty on October 9, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on July 6, 2015, where both defendants engaged in and attempted to engage in a sexual act with a minor under the age of 16.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

Julia Pease and Chad Pease were immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault by Striking, Beating, or Wounding was sentenced on January 6, 2020, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno.

Jason Corey Poorman, Sr., age 43, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $25.

Poorman was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 14, 2019.  He pled guilty on January 6, 2020.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred in St. Francis between December 20, 2018, and December 21, 2018, wherein Poorman assaulted his girlfriend, causing bodily injury.

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

Poorman was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.  

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault by Striking, Beating, and Wounding was sentenced on January 6, 2020, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno.

Mario Lopez, Jr., age 18, was sentenced to 2 years of probation and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $25.

Lopez was charged by criminal complaint on September 10, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on September 10, 2019, when Lopez bit his girlfriend on her arm.

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore prosecuted the case.

Lopez was released following sentencing.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pukwana, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon was sentenced on January 2, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Sidney Dubray, age 25, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Dubray was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 14, 2019.  He pled guilty on September 25, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on December 20, 2018, when Dubray and the victim were drinking and got into a shouting match.  When the victim left the argument to sit on the couch, Dubray grabbed a kitchen knife in anger and stabbed the victim in the back of his head.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

Dubray was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault of Spouse by Strangulation was sentenced on January 2, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Boyer Thomas LaForge, Jr., age 31, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

LaForge was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 9, 2019.  He pled guilty on September 23, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on February 4, 2019, wherein LaForge and his intimate partner were drinking and LaForge accused her of stealing money from him.  LaForge continually asked the victim where his money was, and then ultimately grabbed the victim by the throat and began to strangle her.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

LaForge was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Chamberlain, South Dakota, man convicted on two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact with a Child Incapable of Consent was sentenced on January 2, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

James Blue, Jr., a/k/a “BJ”, age 39, was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.

Blue was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 13, 2018.  He pled guilty on October 8, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from multiple incidents between 2011 and 2015.  During this time, Blue engaged in sexual acts with two minors who had not attained the age of 12 years, and who were incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct and declining participation and communicating an unwillingness to engage in the abusive sexual contact. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Crow Creek Agency.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

Blue was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Sexual Abuse of a Minor.

Gabriel White Lance, age 20, was indicted on September 10, 2019.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 3, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 15 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on March 23, 2019, White Lance knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, a sexual act with a minor female.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.   

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

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Dustin Seegrist, age 37, was sentenced on January 3, 2020, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The charge related to Seegrist possessing more than 310 grams of methamphetamine and 2 firearms at Rapid City in September 2018, which was found in a backpack hidden underneath Seegrist’s sweatshirt after he came into contact with a Rapid City police officer.

Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity.  Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers.  It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.

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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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.

Seegrist was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted by virtue of a federal jury trial for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced on January 3, 2020, by  U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken.  The trial was held August 26-29, 2019.

Brendon Janis, age 35, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. 

From approximately the summer of 2015 through July 2018, Janis distributed multiple pounds of methamphetamine in the area of Kyle.  He had multiple sub-distributors who assisted him.  During the execution of a federal search warrant at his residence in April 2017, Janis had several handguns, which were forfeited.

Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity.  Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers.  It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.

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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice's signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department's past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.            

This case was investigated by the Badlands Safe Trails Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  The Badlands Task Force is comprised of law enforcement from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Drug Enforcement Division, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.  Multiple co-conspirators have already been sentenced and two more remain pending trial in May 2020.

Janis was immediately returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of two counts of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury was sentenced on January 3, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Oscar Lance Whiteman, age 31, was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release on each count, to run concurrently, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.

Whiteman was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 4, 2019.  He pled guilty on October 7, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on August 11, 2019, where Whiteman assaulted a female and a male, which resulted in serious bodily injury to both victims.

This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.

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

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of one count of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in serious bodily injury and one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance was sentenced on December 30, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Michael Wayne Cooper, age 58, was sentenced to 240 months of federal imprisonment on each count, to be served concurrently, and 3 years of supervised release on each count, to be served concurrently.  He was also ordered to pay $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

According to the court documents, Cooper knowingly and intentionally distributed a controlled substance, namely fentanyl, resulting in the serious bodily injury of a victim in Sioux Falls, who overdosed on the fentanyl sold to him.  The overdose victim was revived by first responders with two doses of Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, which prevented his death.

The evidence at trial further demonstrated that Cooper had been involved in an ongoing conspiracy in Sioux Falls to illegally distribute hydromorphone (commonly known as Dilaudid), a Schedule II controlled substance, from about the beginning of 2015 through August 2018.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Sioux Falls Police Department, and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Nash prosecuted the case.

Cooper was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Felon in Possession of a Firearm was sentenced on January 2, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Alvin Running Horse, Jr., age 41, was sentenced to 9 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Running Horse was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 26, 2019.  He pled guilty on September 25, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on April 23, 2019.  On that date, Running Horse got into a confrontation with his wife at his residence in Rosebud.  Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services (RSTLES) officers responded to a call for service at the residence. Running Horse’s wife reported that Running Horse left with a firearm.  Running Horse was subsequently stopped by RSTLES officers and the firearm was found in his possession.

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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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

Running Horse was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Second Degree Burglary, Larceny, Assaulting Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.

Justin Twite, age 22, was indicted on April 9, 2019.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on December 30, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on December 21, 2018, Twite entered a residence in Eagle Butte where she stole a safe.  She also stole a pickup parked at the residence.  The Indictment further alleges that, on the same date, Twite did forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, and interfere with multiple Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Police Officers, and did assault one of the police officers with a firearm, with intent to do bodily harm to the officer.

The charges are merely accusations and Twite 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.   

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

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sisseton, South Dakota, man was sentenced on December 27, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Brendon Javon Jacob Rodlund, age 30, was sentenced to 157 months in federal prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. 

According to court documents, April 30 and May 1, 2016, Rodlund knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a juvenile victim, while the victim was physically incapable of declining participation in and communicating her unwillingness to engage in the sexual act.  Rodlund knew the victim was incapacitated.  During the investigation of this sexual assault, Rodlund also lied under oath to the U.S. District Judge while testifying at a federal court hearing involving the victim and others.  Rodlund’s untruthful testimony was used to enhance his sentence for the sexual assault of the victim. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Jehangiri prosecuted the case.       

Rodlund was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm.

Uriah Lafferty, age 34, was charged on December 17, 2019.  Lafferty appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on December 27, 2019, and pleaded not guilty to the charge.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge relates to Lafferty knowingly making a false written statement in order to purchase a firearm in October 2019 at Rapid City.  The charge is merely an accusation and Lafferty 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson is prosecuting the case.

Lafferty was detained pending trial.  A trial date has not been set. 

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.  

Harold Dooley, age 29, was charged on December 17, 2019.  Dooley appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on December 23, 2019, and pleaded not guilty to the charge. 

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge relates to Dooley, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, unlawfully possessing a semi-automatic pistol in November 2019 at Rapid City.  The charge is merely an accusation and Dooley 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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

Dooley was detained pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with Second Degree Murder.

Colton Bagola, age 26, was charged on December 20, 2019.  Bagola appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on December 23, 2019, and pleaded not guilty to the charge. 

The maximum penalty upon conviction is life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge relates to Bagola killing a man by shooting him in the head in December 2019 at Pine Ridge.  The charge is merely an accusation and Bagola is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan J. Poppen and Gina S. Nelson are prosecuting the case.

Bagola was detained pending trial.  A trial date has not been set. 

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Interior, South Dakota, woman convicted of Second Degree Murder was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Krystin Spotted Calf, age 36, was sentenced on December 18, 2019, to 14 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.   

Spotted Calf was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2018.  During the early morning hours of August 11, 2018, Spotted Calf struck the victim, her step-father, Jeffrey Lynn Janis, Sr., multiple times with a tire iron after a dispute.  Janis was pronounced dead at the Bennett County Hospital Emergency Room from blunt force trauma to the head.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs - Office of Justice Services, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman prosecuted the case.

Spotted Calf was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, man convicted of Passing Counterfeit United States Currency was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Michael Ogden, age 38, was sentenced on December 18, 2019, to 41 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised released, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Michael Ogden was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2018, together with Mary Autry and Marcus Franklin.  The charges relate to the trio using printers, paper, and chemicals to convert legitimate $10 U.S. currency bills into counterfeit $100 U.S. currency bills.  Using this equipment, they manufactured and passed thousands of dollars of counterfeit U.S. $100 bills in South Dakota and other states.

The investigation was conducted by the Rapid City Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman prosecuted the case.   

Ogden was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.  Autry and Franklin are awaiting sentencing.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Spearfish, South Dakota, man and woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, were recently sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Enrique Estrada, Jr., a/k/a Ricky Estrada, age 43, was sentenced on December 5, 2019, to 20 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Kari Lee Vaughn, a/k/a/ Kari Drury, age 35, was sentenced on December 18, 2019, to 15 years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Estrada and Vaughn were indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2018. The charge relates to Estrada, Vaughn, and others distributing multiple pounds of methamphetamine in western South Dakota, primarily in the Northern Hills, between October 2017 and September 2018. Estrada coordinated several co-conspirators to obtain methamphetamine from the state of Colorado, then transport it to South Dakota and distribute it. Vaughn wired money for Estrada and traveled to Colorado, to assist in obtaining the methamphetamine. She further distributed the methamphetamine for Estrada, as well. Much of the methamphetamine was distributed out of Estrada’s home in Spearfish.

This investigation was led by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation with the assistance from the Deadwood Police Department, Spearfish Police Department, Belle Fourche Police Department, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Butte County Sheriff’s Office, and members from the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET). Additional arrests were also made at the State and Federal level in connection to this investigation. The case was prosecuted by Gina S. Nelson, Assistant U.S. Attorney.

Estrada and Vaughn were immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, woman was acquitted of Assault With a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting In Serious Bodily Injury as a result of a federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota, beginning on December 17, 2019, and concluding on December 18, 2019.

Tiffany Spotted War Bonnet, age 45, was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 9, 2019.

The charges alleged that on March 4, 2019, Spotted War Bonnet, assaulted an individual with a sharp metal object with the intent to do bodily harm and the alleged assault resulted in serious bodily injury.

The investigation was conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Daniel Sweeris, age 36, was sentenced on December 17, 2019, to 36 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The conviction stemmed from Sweeris, a previously convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms, knowingly possessing a Jimenez Arms, model J.A. T-380 caliber semi-automatic pistol, which was found during a traffic stop of Sweeris’ vehicle at Rapid City in August 2018.

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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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.

Sweeris was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Wakiyan Dreamer, age 21, was sentenced on December 16, 2019, to 37 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Dreamer was indicted for the charge by a federal grand jury in April 2019.  The charge related to Dreamer kicking a female victim in the face with shod feet at Pine Ridge on October 30, 2018.  The victim suffered a black eye and other bruising about her head and face as a result of the assault.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Sazama prosecuted the case.

Dreamer was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a White River, South Dakota, man convicted of Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer was sentenced on December 17, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Tyler Standing Bear, a/k/a Ty Standing Bear, age 25, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Standing Bear was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 14, 2019.  He pled guilty on September 24, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred in the Lower Swift Bear Community, near White River, on January 20, 2019.  On that date, a Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services Officer responded to a report of disturbance at a residence.  The officer subsequently made contact with Standing Bear and informed him he was going to be placed under arrest on an outstanding warrant, at which point Standing Bear produced a knife. Standing Bear brandished the knife at the officer, ignored the officer’s commands to put the knife down and yelled at the officer to shoot him.  Standing Bear then fled the residence on foot.

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

Standing Bear was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that two Eagle Butte, South Dakota, men convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance were sentenced on December 16, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Terry Dillabaugh, age 70, was sentenced to 44 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Frederick Dillabaugh, age 57, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Terry and Frederick Dillabaugh were indicted by a federal grand jury on May 15, 2018.  They each pled guilty on September 24, 2019.

The convictions stemmed from an incident that occurred on February 13, 2018, where law enforcement received a call on the whereabouts of Terry who had an outstanding tribal warrant. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Law Enforcement Services responded and found Terry and Frederick in possession of 66.83 grams of methamphetamine, which they tried to conceal from law enforcement.

This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Both defendants were immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that two Rapid City, South Dakota, men and a Rapid City, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Joshua Kudlock, age 32, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Kudlock was sentenced on December 16, 2019.

David Brandon Pauly, age 31, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Pauly was sentenced on October 9, 2019.

Serena Renea Rodriguez, age 33, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Rodriguez was sentenced on October 21, 2019.

Kudlock, Pauly, and Rodriguez were indicted by a federal grand jury on May 8, 2019.  Kudlock pled guilty on September 23, 2019, Pauly pled guilty on July 16, 2019, and Rodriguez pled guilty on July 23, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from incidents beginning on an unknown date and continuing until approximately February 5, 2019, when Kudlock, along Pauly and Rodriguez came to an understanding to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine in the District of South Dakota.

At the time they joined in the agreement to distribute methamphetamine, they knew the purpose of the agreement or understanding.

On January 3, 2019, a vehicle they were all riding in for the purpose of making a drug run was stopped in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and searched by law enforcement.  Inside the vehicle, officers located approximately five pounds of methamphetamine. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer D. Mammenga prosecuted the case.

Kudlock, Pauly, and Rodriguez were immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.