St. Francis Man Sentenced for Assaulting a Federal Officer

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota man convicted of Assaulting, Opposing, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer was sentenced on July 5, 2016, by U.S District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Dustin Bear Heels, age 27, was sentenced to 33 months in custody, followed by 2 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Bear Heels was indicted for Assaulting, Opposing, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer by a federal grand jury on February 17, 2016.  He pled guilty on March 29, 2016.

On February 2, 2016, two Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services Officers responded to a residence in St. Francis, upon a report that Bear Heels was drunk and disorderly.  He also had an active tribal warrant.

The officers located Bear Heels and placed him under arrest for the warrant, as well as tribal trespass and disorderly conduct.  

As the officers transported, they observed Bear Heels was observed trying to get his hands in front of him.  The officer pulled to the side of the road and advised Bear Heels to leave his hands behind him.  The officer got out of the car and opened the driver's side rear door, when Bear Heels started shouting obscenities and began to kick the door.  The officer advised him to stop and then shut the door, but Bear Heels continued kicking the door and window.  A second officer arrived and they attempted to restrain Bear Heels from kicking the window.  While the officer was trying to secure the shackle to the cage, Bear Heels kicked him in the chest.  Bear Heels then curled up both legs and kicked the officer in the face, causing him to fall backwards. The other officer then sprayed pepper spray in Bear Heels’ face and the officer was able to secure him.

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

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