Standing Rock Woman Pleads Guilty to Murder

States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that Desarae Makes Him First, age 26, of Standing Rock, South Dakota, appeared before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on July 20, 2017, and pled guilty to a Superseding Information that charged her with Second Degree Murder.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody, a $250,000 fine, a period of supervised release of 5 years. If Makes Him First is found to have violated a condition of supervised release, she may be incarcerated for an additional term of up to 5 years on any such revocation. A fine of $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and restitution may also be ordered.

The charge stems from an incident between October 11, 2016, and October 12, 2016, when Makes Him First unlawfully aided and abetted in the murder of her daughter, who was five years old at the time of her death.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for October 30, 2017. Makes Him First was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.