McLaughlin Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Resisting and Impeding a Federal Officer

ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man convicted of Resisting and Impeding a Federal Officer. The sentencing took place on June 9, 2025.

Verl Antonie Janis, age 44, was sentenced to  five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Janis was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2024. He pleaded guilty on February 20, 2025.

On September 23, 2024, in McLaughlin, South Dakota, within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation, a Bureau of Indian Affairs police officer observed Janis intoxicated by alcohol in violation of a court order. Janis resisted the officer’s attempt to arrest him. As Janis and the officer scuffled, both fell to the ground. Janis’ hands were near the officer’s duty belt. Concerned Janis might disarm him, the officer punched Janis, fracturing a bone in his, the officer’s, hand. Janis was eventually handcuffed and taken into custody. Janis has two prior federal convictions for assaulting law enforcement officers.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

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