United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that Crystal Earth, age 26, of White River, South Dakota, was found guilty of Assault With a Dangerous Weapon following a four-day jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on Dec. 14, 2018.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
Earth was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 17, 2018. The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on Feb. 26, 2018, in the Horse Creek Community near White River. On that date, Earth was at her home in Horse Creek drinking alcoholic beverages and socializing with a group of people that included the victim. At one point, Earth and the victim, an adult male, got into an argument. Earth took a knife from the kitchen and repeatedly stabbed the victim in the chest and in the face, causing multiple puncture wounds to the victim’s chest and a deep laceration to his chin.
The investigation was conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kirk Albertson and Cameron Cook prosecuted the case.
A sentencing date has not been set. Earth was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
