Alison J. Ramsdell U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota
A Parmelee, South Dakota man has been sentenced for domestic assault by a habitual offender. U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte delivered the sentence on February 20, 2025.
William Verlin Fool Bull, Sr., aged 45, received a five-year federal prison term followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Fool Bull faced indictment by a federal grand jury in January 2024 and entered a guilty plea on November 19, 2024.
The incident leading to his conviction occurred on October 4, 2023. Fool Bull had been in a relationship with his girlfriend for about ten years. They resided together with their two young children in Parmelee, located within the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. On that day, Fool Bull assaulted his girlfriend by punching her face multiple times and attempting to suffocate her at their home. The assault ceased when she managed to kick him in the knee and escape. Fool Bull has two prior convictions for domestic abuse.
This case fell under federal jurisdiction due to the Major Crimes Act, which requires certain violent crimes in Indian Country to be prosecuted federally rather than at the state level.
The Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem led the prosecution.
Following sentencing, Fool Bull was immediately placed into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
