Mission Man Sentenced for Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender was sentenced on December 5, 2016, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Thomas Small Bear, age 42, was sentenced to 33 months in custody, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  

Small Bear was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 8, 2015.  He pled guilty on September 8, 2016. 

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on November 17, 2015.  Small Bear had been drinking with his girlfriend and some friends at his residence in the Ring Thunder Community.  At one point, Small Bear and his girlfriend gave a ride to another friend.  While still in the vehicle, Small Bear’s girlfriend confronted him about sending text messages to other women.  Small Bear got angry, grabbed her and started punching her in the face and kicking her.  As a result of the incident, Small Bear’s girlfriend suffered a cut, bruising, and a bump on the left side of her face.  At the time of this incident, Small Bear had three prior convictions in Rosebud Sioux Tribal Court for Domestic Abuse.  He also had a prior conviction in federal court for Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender, and was on federal probation when he committed the offense on November 17, 2015. 

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

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