United States Attorney Alison Ramsdell announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner, and Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding a Federal Officer was sentenced on July 25, 2022, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
William Eagle Thunder, Jr., age 30, was sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $300.
Eagle Thunder was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 14, 2021. He pled guilty on April 28, 2022.
The conviction stemmed from incidents that occurred on multiple occasions between August and October 2021, in Lower Brule, wherein Eagle Thunder repeatedly assaulted his girlfriend with a metal object and shod feet, causing serious bodily injury. Additionally, on September 11, 2021, a law enforcement officer was called to a residence following a report that Eagle Thunder was present. While attempting to arrest Eagle Thunder, he pushed the officer to the ground and took off from the scene on foot.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services, Lower Brule Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.
Eagle Thunder was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.