McLaughlin Woman Sentenced for Assaulting Federal Officer

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a McLaughlin, South Dakota, woman convicted of Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer was sentenced on May 23, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Valerie Red Fish, age 44, was sentenced to eight months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Red Fish was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 8, 2021.  She pled guilty on December 6, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on May 27, 2020, in McLaughlin, in which Red Fish assaulted a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer by spitting on the officer while she was performing her official duties.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services, Standing Rock Agency.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.

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