Porcupine Man Sentenced for Domestic Abuse Assault

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Porcupine, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. The sentencing took place on August 12, 2024.

Tyrell White Crane-Kills Back, 24, was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. 

White Crane-Kills Back was indicted for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner, and Assault on a Federal Officer by a federal grand jury in April of 2024. He pleaded guilty on May 30, 2024.

White Crane-Kills Back assaulted his intimate partner on March 17, 2024, by hitting her with a hammer and his fists in the face and the head.  

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 Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

White Crane-Kills Back was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.