Pine Ridge Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, woman convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on March 8, 2024.

Stacey Bissonette, 26, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Bissonette was also ordered to pay $500 in restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Bissonette was indicted for Second Degree Murder by a federal grand jury in July of 2023. She pleaded guilty on December 18, 2023.

The conviction stems from Bissonette stabbing a man with whom she had a romantic relationship with on June 27, 2023, near Pine Ridge, South Dakota. The man later succumbed to his injuries.

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 Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

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