Harrold Man Sentenced for Attempted Murder of a Federal Employee

Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Harrold, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Murder of a Federal Employee was sentenced on September 14, 2015, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Brian Iron Boulder, a/k/a Brian Ironboulder, age 51, was sentenced to 216 months in custody, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Iron Boulder was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 8, 2015.  He pled guilty on June 23, 2015.

“The attempted murder of this federal employee in his own workplace was a disturbing crime, and the 18-year sentence handed down today demonstrates that justice was served,” said Seiler. “Everyone has a right to feel safe in their work environment, and when that is jeopardized by an act of violence, the consequences of the crime must send a strong message. That was accomplished in this case.”

The conviction stems from an incident on March 25, 2015, when Iron Boulder went to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) building in Fort Thompson to speak with Patrick Duffy, Superintendent of the Crow Creek Agency. Iron Boulder normally does not carry weapons with him, however on this day, he intentionally brought with him a pocket knife, with a four-inch blade. Iron Boulder purposely had the blade extended on the knife when he entered the building to speak with Superintendent Duffy, who was in a meeting, but agreed to speak with Iron Boulder. The two began to walk down the hallway, with Duffy in front, and Iron Boulder a few steps behind him. At this time, Iron Boulder took the knife out of his pocket, intentionally stabbed Duffy in the center of the back with the knife, and then fled the building. Iron Boulder admitted that he knowingly and intentionally stabbed Duffy in the back because of his role as the Superintendent of the Crow Creek agency.

Co-workers summoned law enforcement and an ambulance. Duffy was taken by ambulance, with the knife protruding from his back, to Mid-Dakota Hospital in Chamberlain. The stab wound penetrated the chest wall, with blood in the plural cavity, which required a chest tube after the knife was removed. Due to the extent of his injuries, Duffy was airlifted to Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls and hospitalized until March 31, 2015. He continued to receive follow-up care and on April 14, 2015, Duffy was again taken to Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls. He had a collapsed lung and required a second surgery. As a result of the attempted murder, Duffy received life-threatening injuries. He has since returned to work.

This case was investigated by the BIA, Crow Creek Agency.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Iron Boulder was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.