Pine Ridge Man Sentenced For Assault Resulting In Serious Bodily Injury

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury was sentenced on April 2, 2013 by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Alphonso Belt, age 50, was sentenced to 46 months' imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $100 to the Victim Assistance Fund.

Belt was indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon by a federal grand jury on November 15, 2011. The charges relate to Belt stabbing his friend in the neck with a knife while the two were drinking on November 2, 2011 at Pine Ridge. The assault resulted in paralysis to the victim and limited mobility below the chest. Belt pled guilty on December 18, 2012.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.

Belt was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshal.