United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sentenced on August 15, 2022, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Cletus Gerald Williams, III, a/k/a C.J. Williams, age 25, was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer. He was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentences will be served concurrently. Williams was also ordered to pay a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.
Williams was indicted by a federal grand jury in January of 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 12, 2022.
The conviction for Assaulting, Resisting and Impeding a Federal Officer stemmed from an incident that occurred in Todd County, South Dakota, on January 4, 2022. On that date, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services officers responded to a report that Williams was causing a disturbance at a residence near Rosebud, South Dakota. Upon arrival, the officers made contact with Williams, who refused commands to comply. Williams took a fighting stance and then picked up pieces of firewood, which he used to keep the officers away. Williams then attempted to flee, but subsequently complied with commands and was arrested.
Williams was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in April 2017. As a result of this conviction, he is required to update his registration within three business days of relocation or changing employment. In October 2021, Williams was released from custody and began a period of supervised release. Williams initially registered and resided at an address in Sioux Falls, but he subsequently moved from his registered address and did not update his registration. His whereabouts were unknown until his arrest on January 4, 2022.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Williams was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.