Rosebud Man and Woman Indicted for Kidnapping, Assault, and Tampering Charges

United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man and woman have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Kidnapping, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Tampering with a Victim, and Evidence Tampering.

Russell Eagle Bear, age 39, and Cleo Kills In Water, age 39, were indicted on January 20, 2022.  Eagle Bear appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 21, 2022, and Kills In Water appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 27, 2022.  Both pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between December 6, 2021, and December 7, 2021, in Mellette County, South Dakota, Eagle Bear and Kills In Water kidnapped and held a man and woman against their will and assaulted both the man and woman with a dangerous weapon; the assault against the male resulted in serious bodily injury.  Eagle Bear and Kills In Water further destroyed evidence of their crime and made threats to both victims in an attempt to prevent them from reporting their actions to law enforcement.

The charges are merely accusations and Eagle Bear and Kills In Water are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler is prosecuting the case.   

Eagle Bear and Kills In Water were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.