St. Francis Woman Sentenced For Assault

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Racine Whirlwind Soldier, a 28-year-old woman from St. Francis, South Dakota, pled guilty to Assault by Striking, Beating and Wounding and Simple Assault and was sentenced on August 26, 2013, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno.  She was sentenced to 18 months of probation on each count, to be served concurrently; $239.70 in restitution; and a $35 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

On August 3, 2012, Whirlwind Soldier’s co-defendant, Kelcey Andrews, reached into the front passenger window of a car in which the victim, a minor, was located and punched the victim in the face and grabbed the victim by the hair.  Whirlwind Soldier threw a beer bottle into the car and cut the victim below her eyebrow, which required four sutures.  The victim was injured as a result of the unlawful conduct of Whirlwind Soldier and Andrews.

The investigation was conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie H. Ruettgers prosecuted the case.