United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault of an Intimate Partner by Strangulation.
William Thigh, a/k/a, William Fire Cloud, age 36, was indicted on February 8, 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 11, 2022, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to ten years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on August 2, 2021, in Lower Brule, Thigh assaulted a woman with shod feet, a space heater, an electric fan, an air purifier, a metal bar, and electrical cords, with intent to do bodily harm to her. In addition, the Indictment charges that between November 28, 2021, and November 30, 2021, in Lower Brule, Thigh assaulted a woman with a rifle and shod feet, with intent to do bodily harm to her. On both occasions, Thigh is alleged to have unlawfully assaulted a spouse, intimate partner, and dating partner by strangulating and suffocating her, and attempting to do so.
The charges are merely accusations and Thigh is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services, Crow Creek Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.
Thigh was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.