Sioux Falls Gang Members Indicted for Racketeering Involving Attempted Murder and Firearms Offenses

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a federal grand jury has indicted three Sioux Falls, South Dakota, men for Conspiracy to Murder in Aid of Racketeering; Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering; Possession, Brandishing, and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.  The indictment was filed in August 2026.

Nathan Carlos Hernandez, age 20, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on August 26, 2026, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.  Sebastian Michael Waters, age 19, appeared before Magistrate Judge Duffy on August 20, 2026, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment. Tino Sage Roubideaux, age 29, appeared before Magistrate Judge Duffy on August 10, 2026, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction for Conspiracy to Murder in Aid of Racketeering and for Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering and Aiding and Abetting is 10 years’ imprisonment.  The maximum penalty upon conviction for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering and Aiding and Abetting is 20 years’ imprisonment.  The maximum penalty upon conviction for Discharging a Firearm during and in relation to a Crime of Violence and Aiding and Abetting is a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ up to Life imprisonment, to be served consecutively to the crime of violence of attempted murder or assault with a dangerous weapon.  The maximum penalty upon conviction for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person is 15 years imprisonment.  The charges also carry a maximum fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release of up to five years following a term of imprisonment, a special assessment, forfeiture, and restitution.

According to the charging document, Hernandez, Waters, and Roubideaux were members of the Gangster Disciples (GD), a gang with members and associates located throughout Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and elsewhere.  The gang is alleged to have committed, attempted to commit, and conspired to commit acts of violence, including acts involving assault, as well as other crimes, including drug dealing and firearms trafficking.  Participation in criminal activity by a GD member (sometimes referred to as “work”), especially violence directed at persons perceived as a threat to the gang, increased the respect accorded to the member and could result in the member’s elevation and increased status within the gang.  One of the alleged purposes of the gang was to keep victims, other gang members, rivals, and community members in fear of the gang.

As alleged in the indictment, Hernandez, Waters, and Roubideaux conspired to murder a person, and on January 4, 2026, these defendants located the victim at a business in Sioux Falls and attempted  to murder him by shooting him more than one time.  Two firearms were used in the attack.  As gang members, these defendants sought to maintain or increase their respective position within the Gangster Disciples. 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Through PSN, the District of South Dakota seeks to bring together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Sioux Falls Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case. 

All defendants were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date of October 26, 2026, has been set.