St. Francis Man Charged with First-Degree Murder, Kidnapping, Interstate Transportation of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, and Larceny

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for first-degree murder, kidnapping, interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle, and larceny.

Riley McCloskey, age 20, was indicted on February 12, 2014, in a superseding indictment. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 21, 2014, and pled not guilty to the superseding indictment. McCloskey was originally indicted on two counts of second-degree murder, aiding and abetting, on January 7, 2014.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to incidents that occurred between December 23, 2013 and December 24, 2013. McCloskey and others were charged with unlawfully killing two victims during the perpetration of kidnappings and aiding and abetting each other in the commission of the offenses. One of the victims was strangled until he was unconscious and then stabbed in the chest with a screwdriver. The second victim was assaulted and also stabbed in the chest with a screwdriver. McCloskey is also alleged to have stolen a motor vehicle and driven it from Nebraska across the state line into South Dakota.

The charges are merely accusations and McCloskey is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and the Cherry County, Nebraska Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie H. Ruettgers is prosecuting the case.

McCloskey was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.