Little Eagle Woman Sentenced for First Degree Burglary

ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Little Eagle, South Dakota, woman convicted of First Degree Burglary. The sentencing took place on May 20, 2024.

Amanda Lorraine Bobtail Bear, age 31, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Bobtail Bear was indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. She pleaded guilty on October 30, 2023.

On April 1, 2023, Bobtail Bear learned a 12-year-old girl had kissed Bobtail Bear’s 25-year-old brother-in-law. In response, Bobtail Bear and several other individuals, including Bobtail Bear’s 14-year-old niece, broke into the 12-year-old girl’s Little Eagle home, which is within the Standing Rock Reservation. Bobtail Bear kicked the 12-year-old girl and encouraged her niece to “hit her some more!” while the 12-year-old begged them to stop. Bobtail Bear’s brother restrained the 12-year-old girl’s wheelchair-bound father during the assault to prevent him from protecting his daughter. The 12-year-old girl sustained minor injuries

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

Bobtail Bear was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.