A Pine Ridge, South Dakota, woman was sentenced on April 6 to 70 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury – aiding and abetting, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Ron Parsons.
The case highlights the prosecution of violent crimes under the Major Crimes Act, which requires certain offenses committed in Indian Country to be tried in federal court rather than state court. Jessie Sutton, age 37, will also serve three years of supervised release following her prison term and must pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Sutton was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2024 for assault resulting in serious bodily injury – aiding and abetting as well as assault with a dangerous weapon – aiding and abetting. She pleaded guilty on December 22, 2025. The charges stem from an incident where Sutton and her sister, Joann Sutton, attacked another woman about her body and head. The victim required emergency surgery due to brain injuries sustained during the attack.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this matter because the Major Crimes Act mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred within Indian Country fall under federal jurisdiction. The investigation was conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth handled the prosecution of this case. Following sentencing, Sutton was immediately remanded into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
