Lower Brule Man And Woman Sentenced For Assaulting A Federal Officer And Aiding And Abetting

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man and woman convicted of Assaulting, Resisting and Impeding a Federal Officer and Aiding and Abetting have been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Toni Harmon, a/k/a Toni Bad Horse, age 39, and Sterling St. Cloud, age 33, were sentenced to time served (approximately 8 months), 2 years of supervised release, and each were ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Harmon and St. Cloud were indicted by a federal grand jury on May 13, 2014.  Harmon pled guilty on September 23, 2014, and St. Cloud pled guilty on October 9, 2014.

The convictions stem from an incident on or about March 8, 2014, when a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer responded to a call on an alleged assault.  Upon arrival, he made contact with St. Cloud, Harmon, and others.  The officer began to place St. Cloud into custody for an outstanding tribal warrant, when St. Cloud attempted to run away, and a struggle ensued with the officer.  Harmon then intervened and grabbed the officer’s hand.  St. Cloud was able to get free with the assistance of Harmon and they both fled the house through the door Harmon had opened.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lower Brule Agency.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.