Lower Brule Man Sentenced for Assaulting a Federal Officer

United States Attorney Alison Ramsdell announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man convicted at trial of Assaulting a Federal Law Enforcement Officer was sentenced on September 6, 2022, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Jade LaRoche, age 42, was sentenced to three years and eight months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

LaRoche was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 11, 2022.  He was found guilty by a federal jury, following a two-day jury trial, on September 6, 2022.

The evidence at trial showed that on October 31, 2021, in Lower Brule, LaRoche forcibly opposed and resisted a federal law enforcement officer.  The officer was called to a residence to remove LaRoche.  Upon learning that he was going to be placed under arrest, LaRoche ran from the officer into a back bedroom of the home.  As the officer approached the back bedroom, the defendant charged out from his hiding spot, striking the officer and knocking him backwards into a table.  The victim suffered injuries to his neck, back, and shoulder.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services, Lower Brule Agency.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

LaRoche was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.