White Horse Man Sentenced for Assault

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a White Horse, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury was sentenced on January 5, 2016, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Sage Miner, age 32, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in custody, followed by 2 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Miner was indicted for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury by a federal grand jury on May 15, 2015. He pled guilty to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury on October 22, 2015.

The conviction arose from a March 21, 2015, incident at White Horse. Miner was at his cousin’s house, as was the victim. Miner began yelling at the victim and he and the victim began pushing each other. Miner threw the victim towards the door and the victim fell. Miner went over and started hitting the victim with his fists at least ten times. He also kicked the victim’s head or body with the steel-toed boots he was wearing at least three times. Miner continued yelling at the victim and had to be pulled off. Miner left the house, but ran back through the front door and starting hitting the victim again, at least ten times on this occasion. He was again pulled off the victim and his cousin told him to leave. Miner then began fighting with his cousin. Miner left the house a second time, and his cousin locked the door and returned to tend to the victim, who was sitting up on the kitchen floor. Miner ran in the back door, jumped on top of the victim, and hit him at least seven times on this occasion. Miner said if anyone tried to help the victim, he would come after them next. Miner’s cousin could not pull him off the victim, so he left to get help. When he returned to his home, the victim was unconscious on the floor and Miner was gone. The victim suffered multiple facial injuries and fractures, including a blowout fracture of the orbital eye socket. After he was released from the hospital, the victim continued to have problems, including ongoing balance problems, dizziness, and headaches.

This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.

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