Lower Brule Man Indicted for Kidnapping, Assault Charges

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Kidnapping, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Obstruction of Justice, Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner, and Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding A Federal Officer.

William Eagle Thunder, Jr., age 30, was indicted on December 14, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on December 20, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on multiple occasions between August and October of 2021, in Lower Brule, Eagle Thunder kidnapped and assaulted an intimate partner and prevented the victim from seeking medical care for injuries. He also assaulted a federal law enforcement officer. 

The charges are merely accusations and Eagle Thunder is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services, Lower Brule Agency.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.   

Eagle Thunder was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.