Alison J. Ramsdell U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced the conviction of Ellery Zephier, Sr., 39, from Marty, South Dakota. A federal jury found Zephier guilty of kidnapping and assault resulting in serious bodily injury after a three-day trial in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The jury acquitted him on two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. The verdict was delivered on January 23, 2025.
The charge of assault carries a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, along with up to three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
For the kidnapping charge, the maximum penalty could be any term up to life in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and another $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Zephier faced indictment by a federal grand jury in August 2024. Between July 20-25, 2024, he kidnapped and held a woman against her will at his home in Marty. During this period, he also assaulted her causing serious bodily injury.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Yankton Sioux Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paige Petersen and Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.
A presentence investigation has been ordered with sentencing scheduled for April 28, 2025. Zephier is currently held by the U.S. Marshals Service.
