Mission Man Convicted of Assaulting a Federal Officer

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Dylan Blue Bird, age 30, of Mission, South Dakota, of Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer following a two-day jury trial in federal district court in Pierre, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on March 16, 2023.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. 

Blue Bird was indicted by a federal grand jury in November of 2022. 

On September 30, 2022, at approximately 11:30 PM, officers with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services attempted a traffic stop on Blue Bird after observing traffic violations in Todd County. Blue Bird did not stop and led officers on a high-speed pursuit on Highway 18, reaching speeds in excess of 110 miles per hour. During the pursuit, Blue Bird drove in the opposing lane of travel towards an officer engaged in the pursuit, forcing the officer off the roadway. The pursuit came to an end after officers deployed spike strips, disabling Blue Bird’s vehicle.

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case.

A sentencing date has not been set. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.