A Mission man will serve more than nine years in prison for
assaulting a Todd County man last November.
Matthew David Stymiest, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge
Charles Kornmann to 110 months in prison and three years supervised
release. Stymiest assaulted a man near Soldier Creek on Rosebud
Indian Reservation on Nov. 18, 2007. The victim suffered a
traumatic brain injury.
Stymiest was convicted of assault resulting in serious bodily
injury after a jury trial in June.
In other federal court news:
- Claudia Longman, 55, Martin, was sentenced by U.S. District
Judge Karen Schreier to five years probation and ordered to pay
$7,027 in restitution to the Social Security Administration. A jury
convicted her on charges of supplemental social security income
representative payee fraud, supplemental security income benefits
fraud, theft of government property and false statement. Longman
was accused of collecting SSI payments intended for the benefit of
her grandson, who was in the care of the Children's Home Society at
the time.
- Craig Dupris, 29, Cherry Creek, and Charles Dupris, 31, Eagle
Butte, both pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with
intent to distribute a controlled substance. According to a news
release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, the charge involves
cocaine distribution between Oct. 1, 2003, and Aug. 31, 2007. The
maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Both
men were released on bond pending sentencing Jan. 12.
- Chad Hein, 27, Mission, pleaded guilty to count one of an
indictment that charged him with conspiracy to distribute and
possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Prosecutors say the charge involved a conspiracy to distribute
methamphetamine between August 2006 and April 2007. The maximum
penalty is 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Hein is in
custody pending sentencing Dec. 15.
- Tobby Wright, 32, Box Elder, pleaded guilty to possession of an
unregistered firearm. According to a news release from the U.S.
Attorney's Office, Wright admitted to possessing a 12-gauge
sawed-off shotgun that was not registered to him in the National
Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The maximum penalty is
10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Wright is in custody
pending sentencing Dec. 9.
- Cornelius Last Horse, 37, Kyle, pleaded guilty to a charge of
abusive sexual contact. According to a news release from the U.S.
Attorney's Office, Last Horse admitted to having sexual contact
with a girl under 16 years old by putting her in fear of her
safety. The maximum penalty is three years in prison and a $250,000
fine. He was originally indicted on additional counts of aggravated
sexual abuse. Last Horse is in custody pending sentencing Nov.
18.
- Jade LaRoche, 28, Lower Brule, pleaded guilty to a charge of
assaulting, resisting or impeding a federal office. According to
federal court documents, LaRoche was stopped in Lower Brule by a
Bureau of Indian Affairs officer for speeding and driving on the
wrong side of the road. As the officer approached the driver's side
of the car, LaRoche hit the accelerator and sped away. The incident
happened May 14. The maximum penalty is one year in prison and a
$10,000 fine. LaRoche is in custody pending sentencing.
- Morris Yellow, 59, Wakpala, pleaded not guilty to an indictment
charging him with sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual
contact. Federal court documents show he is accused of having
sexual contact with a minor between 12 and 16 years old between
2004 and 2007 in Corson County. The maximum penalty upon conviction
is 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, plus lifetime
supervision. Yellow was released on bond pending trial.
The U.S. District Court generally prosecutes felonies committed
on reservations, while tribal courts handle misdemeanor crimes.
Felonies that happen off the reservation are prosecuted in
state/circuit court and are reported separately in the Journal.
Some drug and firearms cases are also prosecuted in federal
court.