Markenzy Lapointe U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida
A member of the Miccosukee tribe has been sentenced to nearly 17 years in federal prison for shooting and seriously injuring an unarmed man on the reservation. The incident occurred during a heated argument between Sutanga Rex Cypress, 43, and another tribal member. Cypress used a Sig Sauer firearm to threaten and then shoot the victim in the abdomen. The victim was airlifted to a hospital where he received medical treatment, surviving but with permanent injuries.
In September, Cypress pled guilty to charges including assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
United States District Judge Jacqueline Becerra handed down the sentence which includes incarceration, a $50,000 fine, and five years of supervised release following his prison term. A hearing is scheduled for May 6 to determine the restitution amount Cypress must pay to his victim.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, Acting Special Agent in Charge Justin E. Fleck of FBI Miami, and Chief Roland Pandolfi of the Miccosukee Police Department.
The case was investigated by FBI Miami’s Safe Trails Task Force along with the Miccosukee Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Latoya Brown and Vanessa Bonhomme are prosecuting.
Further information can be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida or through related court documents under case number 24-cr-20195.
