Wounded Knee Man Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Russ Hollow Horn, age 47, of Wounded Knee, appeared before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on December 6, 2010, and pled guilty to an indictment that charged him with involuntary manslaughter. The maximum penalty upon conviction is eight years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine.

Hollow Horn was driving his pickup truck on BIA Road 27, north of the intersection with US Highway 18 between Wounded Knee and Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Prior to the operation of his vehicle, Hollow Horn consumed alcohol, and at the time he was driving, he had a blood alcohol level of .227. Hollow Horn's intoxication caused him to drive his pickup truck in an unsafe manner resulting in him crossing over the center of the road dividing line and colliding with another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. As a result, three persons in the other vehicle were killed. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg S. Peterman.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for February 28, 2011. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.