Rapid City Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Robbery and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. The sentencing took place on May 18, 2023.

Eric Blue Bird, 31, was sentenced to two ten-year terms in federal prison, to run consecutively, followed by three years of supervised release. Blue Bird was also ordered to pay restitution and a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Blue Bird was indicted for Kidnapping, Assault on a Federal Officer, and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon by a federal grand jury in January of 2022. He pleaded guilty on November 14, 2022.

The conviction stems from Blue Bird robbing and assaulting a federal law enforcement officer on January 16, 2022, while he was incarcerated at the Oglala Sioux Tribe Adult Offender Facility.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

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