Sioux Empire Today

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange of the U.S. District Court has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man for Second-Degree Murder and Discharge of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence. The sentencing took place on August 1, 2024.

Jerel Running Bear, age 34, was convicted of Second-Degree Murder and received a sentence of 27 years and three months in federal prison, consecutive to an additional 10 years for Discharging a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence. Running Bear was also ordered to complete five years of supervised release on each charge, with the time to be served concurrently. Additionally, he must pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each charge.

On August 9, 2024, U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier sentenced Serena Fast Horse from Oglala, South Dakota, for failing to report the murder of the 21-year-old female victim to law enforcement. Fast Horse, age 39, was convicted of Misprision of a Felony and sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison followed by one year of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Running Bear and Fast Horse were indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2023. Running Bear pleaded guilty on April 5, 2024, while Fast Horse pleaded guilty on May 10, 2024.

The incident occurred on November 8, 2023. Running Bear and two others went to Wounded Knee seeking fentanyl pills from a source who did not appear. Under the influence of controlled substances at the time, Running Bear retrieved a rifle from his vehicle's trunk and shot the female victim seated in the backseat. Another female fled and alerted law enforcement.

Running Bear then picked up Fast Horse and removed the victim's body from the vehicle before leaving it by the roadside as Fast Horse watched. The following day they fled to Nebraska but were apprehended after being spotted by law enforcement officers; during their escape attempt Fast Horse discarded items including controlled substances from their vehicle.

This case fell under federal jurisdiction due to provisions in the Major Crimes Act requiring certain violent crimes occurring in Indian country be prosecuted federally rather than at state level.

The investigation was conducted by FBI agents along with members of Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety with Assistant U.S Attorney Megan Poppen leading prosecution efforts.

Following sentencing hearings both defendants have been remanded into custody: Running Bear immediately into U.S Marshal Service detention while Fast Horse is required self-surrendering no later than August 30th this year.

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