Lower Brule Woman Sentenced for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury

Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, woman convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury was sentenced on September 14, 2015, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Leaf Colette Byington, age 33, was sentenced to 33 months in custody, followed by 2 years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Byington was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 10, 2015. She pled guilty on June 23, 2015.

The conviction stems from an incident on October 24, 2014, when Byington and other persons, including the victim, were consuming alcohol together in Lower Brule. At some point in the early morning hours, Byington and two others were outside arguing. The victim heard the commotion and went outside, where Byington hit the victim in the face and the two began to fight. Byington then stabbed her in the back of the head and ear with a knife.  Others intervened in an effort to stop the fight.

When law enforcement arrived at the residence, individuals advised the officer that Byington had stabbed the victim. EMTs were called.

The officer then proceeded over to Byington’s home where he had contact with Byington. She had some blood on her clothes and a knife was seized. A second knife was found on Byington’s person during the booking process at the jail.

The victim was treated at the emergency room in Chamberlain, where she had a significant wound to the back of her head and ear that required over 20 staples to close.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lower Brule Agency.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

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