Mobridge Man Sentenced for Assault

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Mobridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury was sentenced on July 5, 2017, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Richard Cadotte, age 55, was sentenced to 34 months in custody, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Restitution is being left open for 90 days.

Cadotte was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 14, 2015. He filed a Petition to Plead Guilty on October 26, 2016.

The conviction stems from an incident on September 19, 2015, when the victim was driving a tan vehicle down the water tower road near Wakpala, South Dakota, and struck a cow. As the victim was exiting his vehicle, Cadotte approached the scene, driving an older model blue car. The victim began to approach the vehicle and Cadotte stepped out, but then got right back into his vehicle. The victim then approached Cadotte’s car, jumped on the hood, and began to strike the windshield. Cadotte drove away, trying to shake the victim off the vehicle.

The victim fell from the vehicle, got back on his feet and began to return to his own vehicle. Cadotte turned around in his vehicle and accelerated towards the victim, striking him with the front of the vehicle. The victim flipped through the air, landing on the road way. Cadotte then proceeded to a near-by residence, dropped someone off, and left the area. A witness drug the victim off the road, fearing Cadotte intended to run him over again.

A sergeant and a patrol officer inspected the outside of the blue car, which had been stopped previously. A red substance was observed on the front grill, drivers head lights, windshield, and roof of the car.

As a result of this incident, the victim suffered two broken legs.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

Cadotte has been allowed to self-report to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service by July 25, 2017.