United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that Chavez Spotted Horse, age 40, of Little Eagle, South Dakota, was found guilty of three counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and three counts of Child Abuse as a result of a federal jury trial in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of up to 60 years in custody and/or a $1,500,000 fine, up to 18 years of supervised release, and a $600 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Spotted Horse was indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 19, 2017.
The convictions stem from incidents occurring between November 27-30, 2016, when Spotted Horse severely beat his 11-year old niece with multiple weapons.
On November 27th, Spotted Horse started to beat her on the legs with a plastic spoon he retrieved from the kitchen, causing numerous deep bruises around the victim’s thighs.
On November 28th, Spotted Horse again began to strike her with a wooden back scratcher. He continued striking her with it until it broke, causing bruising and welts on the victim’s back. At that time, Spotted Horse ordered her brother to go down to the basement and find him something to continue beating the victim with, and her brother returned with a plastic curtain rod. The victim remained on the floor screaming and crying, begging for her uncle to stop as he beat her with the curtain rod, causing multiple welts and bruising.
On November 30th, Spotted Horse again began to beat her. This day, Spotted Horse grabbed a thick plastic hanger and repeatedly struck her on the back with it, until it broke, causing bruises and welts in the shape of the hanger.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.
A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for January 4, 2018. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
