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Press Release

Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Second Degree Murder

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Second Degree Murder was sentenced on December 5, 2016, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Corbyn Big Eagle, age 22, was sentenced to 180 months in custody, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Big Eagle was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 14, 2015.  He pled guilty on September 7, 2016.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on June 16, 2015.  During a social gathering at Big Eagle’s residence in Eagle Butte, a misunderstanding between the victim and another male at the gathering resulted in the victim punching the other man.  A third man at the party then intervened and took the victim to the floor, restraining him.  Big Eagle went to the kitchen, grabbed a large knife, and stabbed the victim once in the chest.  The stab wound was fatal and the victim died. 

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

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

Updated December 12, 2016

Topics
Indian Country Law and Justice
Violent Crime