Rosebud Man Sentenced on Assault Charge

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man charged with assault with a dangerous weapon was sentenced on November 14, 2011, by United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange. Merle Left Hand Bull, age 60, was sentenced to 43 months in custody, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund. Left Hand Bull was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 22, 2011.

On September 3, 2009, Left Hand Bull and the victim were together near the Grass Mountain community in Todd County. They had a disagreement, and the victim departed his company and walked down a nearby roadway. Defendant was upset that the victim had been having telephone contact with another man and eventually pursued her and encountered her along the roadway and beat her, including kicking her with his boots.

The victim was found along the roadway, and a good samaritan took her to the hospital. The victim had injuries, including a fractured nose, a fracture in the wall of her left orbit, and a large amount of soft tissue swelling, including hematomas and abrasions on her jaw area and around her eye. She also had a cut on her right arm.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant United States Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case.

Left Hand Bull was immediately turned over to the custody of the United States Marshal.