Wagner Woman Charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Felony Child Abuse

United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Wagner, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for two counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and one count of Felony Child Abuse.

Tina Sully, age 51, was indicted on February 1, 2022.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on February 3, 2022, and 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 up to $300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between November 26, 2017, and May 23, 2021, Sully unlawfully assaulted a minor female victim who had not attained the age of 18, with a belt and a hanger. 

The Indictment also alleges that during the same period of time as stated above, Sully abused, exposed, tortured, tormented, and cruelly punished the same victim.

The charges are merely accusations and Sully is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Charles Mix County Sheriff’s Office, and the Yankton Sioux Law Enforcement.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.   

Sully was released on bond pending trial, which has been set for April 12, 2022.