Man from the Ring Thunder Community Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Ring Thunder, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. The sentencing took place on May 2, 2023.

Marshall Knife, 39, was sentenced to five years and eleven 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.

Knife was indicted for Sexual Abuse of a Minor by a federal grand jury in April of 2022. He pleaded guilty on January 23, 2023.

In September of 2020, Knife and other individuals were consuming alcohol at Knife’s residence in the Ring Thunder Community in Todd County, South Dakota. The victim, who was approximately 14-years old at the time, was also present. As the night progressed, Knife made a comment about wanting to take the victim’s virginity and proceeded to engage in sexual acts with the victim.

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

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