McLaughlin Man Sentenced for Assault

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man convicted of Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender was sentenced on May 31, 2017, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Kyle White Bull, age 30, was sentenced to 27 months in custody, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

White Bull was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 19, 2017. He pled guilty on March 9, 2017.

The conviction stems from an incident on December 21, 2016, when White Bull and his wife were involved in an argument at their home in McLaughlin. The victim awoke that day to White Bull asking her questions, calling her names, and accusing her of sleeping with other men to which the victim denied the allegations. The victim told White Bull that she was going to leave the marital home, but White Bull told her that if she left, he was going to kill her. The couple then continued arguing and proceeded to shove each other, causing the victim to end up on the ground. White Bull grabbed the victim by the neck and held her down, while she continued struggling, attempting to get away. When she would attempt to get up, White Bull would push her back down, causing her to repeatedly hit her head on the floor.

Eventually the victim was able to escape the residence and reported the matter to the Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement. Law enforcement documented various injuries to the victim, including a large lump on the left front of her forehead, a scratch on her toe, a bruised ankle, and bruises to both knees.

At the time of this incident, White Bull had at least two final convictions in Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Court for offenses that would have been, if subject to federal jurisdiction, an offense against a spouse or intimate partner.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

White Bull was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.