United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Larceny was sentenced on August 22, 2022, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Randall Bear Eagle, age 38, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Bear Eagle was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 19, 2022.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on November 16, 2022, in Eagle Butte. Bear Eagle was on foot, when he located a 2017 Ford Explorer that was parked in the driveway of a residence. Bear Eagle got in and began to back the vehicle out of the driveway, when the owner of the vehicle heard someone entering her car. When she saw Bear Eagle backing out of the driveway, she and another individual ran outside to prevent Bear Eagle from driving off, but were unsuccessful. The vehicle was reported stolen. Law enforcement later located Bear Eagle and the vehicle at a location 33 miles north of Eagle Butte. The vehicle was pulled over and Bear Eagle was arrested. The vehicle was valued at over $17,000.
This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
Bear Eagle was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.