Rushmore State News

Two men from Fort Thompson, South Dakota, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a violent assault involving a firearm on the Crow Creek Sioux Indian Reservation.

U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte sentenced Trevin Witt, 18, to 11 years in federal prison for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Using and Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Witt will also serve three years of supervised release and must pay a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Lawrence Taylor, 21, was sentenced to four years and nine months in federal prison after pleading guilty to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. Taylor will also serve three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $200 special assessment.

The charges followed an incident on April 13, 2024. According to court records, Witt and Taylor forcibly entered the home of the victim. Witt held a gun to the head of one resident while demanding information about the victim’s whereabouts. When the victim appeared from the basement, Witt shot him. The victim survived.

Witt and Taylor were indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2024. Witt pleaded guilty on February 24, 2025; Taylor pleaded guilty on May 15, 2025.

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell stated: “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.”

The case was investigated by the FBI and BIA-Office of Justice Services – Crow Creek Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley handled prosecution.

Both defendants were remanded into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service following sentencing.