Sioux Empire Today

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced Nathaniel B. Griffin, a 49-year-old resident of McLaughlin, South Dakota, to nearly 14 months in federal prison for First-Degree Burglary. The sentencing occurred on November 4, 2024.

Griffin will also serve two years of supervised release and must pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2023 and pleaded guilty on July 29, 2024.

The incident took place shortly after nightfall on July 5, 2023. Griffin and two co-defendants went to a woman's home in McLaughlin within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation with the intention of assaulting a man they accused of inappropriate behavior towards a girl. Despite the woman's protests for them to leave, one co-defendant kicked in her front door. Griffin and another co-defendant entered while their accomplice remained outside. Although the man was unconscious, one of Griffin’s co-defendants repeatedly kicked him in the face as Griffin used his cell phone flashlight to illuminate the scene. The victim suffered serious injuries including a broken nose and shattered orbital and sinus bones, resulting in ongoing vision problems and headaches.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case under the Major Crimes Act, which requires certain violent crimes occurring in Indian country to be tried in federal court rather than state court.

The FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem led the prosecution.

Following sentencing, Griffin was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.