United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell has announced the indictment of Reno Rondeau, a 51-year-old resident of Manderson, South Dakota, on charges of First Degree Murder, Attempted Murder, and Arson. The indictment was issued by a federal grand jury in December 2024.

Rondeau appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann on January 3, 2025, where he entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.

If convicted of first degree murder, Rondeau faces a mandatory life sentence in custody and may also be fined up to $250,000 along with a $100 payment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution could also be ordered.

The charges stem from an incident in October 2024 when Rondeau allegedly set fire to his brother's residence near Manderson while aware that it was occupied by his brother and his brother’s friend. The friend died in the fire while Rondeau’s brother managed to escape but suffered burn injuries. The home was completely destroyed.

It is important to note that these charges are accusations and Rondeau is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case under the Major Crimes Act which requires certain violent crimes occurring in Indian country to be tried in federal court rather than state court.

The investigation into this matter is being carried out by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox is leading the prosecution.

Rondeau remains in custody under the supervision of the U.S. Marshals Service as he awaits trial for which no date has been scheduled yet.