Press Release
McLaughlin Man Sentenced On Manslaughter Charge
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota
United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a McLaughlin, South Dakota man convicted of Manslaughter was sentenced on May 13, 2013 by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.
Jody Charles Red Bird, age 33, was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $6,265.16 and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Red Bird was indicted for by a federal grand jury in July of 2012. He pled guilty to the Indictment on January 2, 2013. The conviction stems from an incident on or about June 12, 2012 when the Defendant and others were drinking alcohol at Timber Lake and eventually decided to travel to McLaughlin.
Red Bird was driving the vehicle and while enroute to McLaughlin, he lost control of the vehicle and slid into the ditch abutting the opposing lane of traffic. The vehicle rolled several times and both Red Bird and the victim were ejected. As a result of the injuries sustained in the accident, the victim died.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.
Red Bird was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshal.
Updated June 22, 2015
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