Winner Man Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter
| U.S. Attorney’s Office August 15, 2012 |
United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Taylor White Buffalo, age 19, of Winner, South Dakota, appeared before United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange on August 14, 2012, and pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both.
On April 13, 2012, White Buffalo was intoxicated and upset and encountered the victim. White Buffalo struck, beat, and kicked the victim causing the victim to suffer blunt force trauma to the head and body. The victim died from his injuries.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Maher. A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for November 13, 2012. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.