Ft. Thompson Man Sentenced on Assault Charge

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Ft. Thompson man charged with Assaulting a Federal Officer was sentenced on December 19, 2011, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange. Tory Ray Kirkie, age 22, was sentenced to 14 months in custody and 2 years of supervised release.
Kirkie was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2011. On September 27, 2011, he pled guilty to the indictment.

The conviction stems from an incident on July 4, 2011, when Bureau of Indian Affairs Officer Molanna Clifford was attempting to arrest the defendant on a federal warrant for a supervised release violation. The defendant began to struggle with Officer Clifford. Buffalo County Sheriff Wayne William responded to a call to assist Officer Clifford. The defendant continued to struggle with both officers. During the struggle, the defendant swung his arm with a closed fist towards Officer Clifford. She attempted but was unable to avoid the blow and was struck in the nose by the defendant with a closed fist.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Crow Creek Agency. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges.

Kirkie was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshal.