St. Francis Man Sentenced for Assault

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, man charged with Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Aiding and Abetting was sentenced on June 5, 2012, by United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange. James Leon Big Crow, age 24, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in custody, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund.

Big Crow was indicted for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Aiding and Abetting by a federal grand jury on December 14, 2011. The conviction arose from a June 10, 2011, incident when Big Crow and a co-defendant confronted the victim outside an apartment in St. Francis, South Dakota. Big Crow punched the victim in the face and broke his jaw, and caused the victim to fall backward and break his hip.

Big Crow pled guilty to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Aiding and Abetting on March 14, 2012.

This case was investigated by Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant United States Attorney Marie H. Ruettgers prosecuted the case.

Big Crow was immediately turned over to the custody of the United States Marshal to begin serving his sentence.