Mission Man Sentenced for Interstate Domestic Violence

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man charged with Interstate Domestic Violence was sentenced on February 6, 2012, by United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange. Aaron Young, age 28, was sentenced to 48 months in custody, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund.

Young was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 12, 2011, and pled guilty to the charge on November 15, 2011. On February 13, 2011, Young invited the victim to go from the Rosebud Sioux Reservation to Valentine, Nebraska, for a drive. The victim drove, and Young instructed her where to drive. After returning to Rosebud, Young struck the victim across the chest with a backhanded motion causing bruising to her chest.

At approximately 4 a.m., on the 14th of February, 2011, Young directed the victim to drive along U.S. Highway 83 in Mellette County approximately two miles north of the Todd County and Mellette County line. While in Mellette County, Young again struck the victim across the chest in order to make her comply with his directions. The route that Young directed the victim to drive caused her to enter and exit Indian country several times.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant United States Attorney Marie H. Ruettgers prosecuted the case.

Young was immediately turned over to the custody of the United States Marshal.