United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, man convicted of Assaulting a Federal Officer was sentenced on Oct. 17, 2017, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Christopher Little Elk, age 35, was sentenced to 10 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Little Elk was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 14, 2017. He pled guilty on July 25, 2017.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred in Rosebud on May 12, 2017. Little Elk was standing in front of the Rosebud Police Department when a patrol officer pulled up to the building in his patrol vehicle. Little Elk approached the patrol officer and reported he was waiting for a ride. The officer told Little Elk he had to respond to a call, but that he might be able to give him a ride later. Little Elk became agitated and lunged at the officer, punching him in the chest and then pushing him. The officer drew his service weapon and ordered Little Elk to get on the ground. Little Elk refused to comply until the office pepper sprayed him, at which point Little Elk dropped to the ground and was placed under arrest.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Little Elk was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
