August 7, 2015

McLaughlin Man Sentenced for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon was sentenced on August 3, 2015, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

River Grey Bull, age 20, was sentenced to one year and one day of custody, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Grey Bull was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 12, 2014. He pled guilty on May 18, 2015.

The conviction stems from an incident which occurred on January 24, 2014, when Standing Rock dispatch received a call for help stating a 19-year old male had been stabbed in the back of his head. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) law enforcement arrived on scene and made contact with a female who was tending to the victim. She identified the victim, and also identified Grey Bull as the person responsible for the injuries to the victim. Initially the officers could not locate Grey Bull, but while they were processing the scene, a young male with blood spots on his sweatpants was spotted near a patrol vehicle. The officers interviewed Grey Bull and he admitted that he had gotten into a fight with the victim, and assaulted him with a knife.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the BIA, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

Grey Bull was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.