Alison J. Ramsdell U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Jeremy Red Owl, a resident of Kyle, South Dakota, has been sentenced to federal prison following a conviction for involuntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler delivered the sentence on April 10, 2025.
Jeremy Red Owl, aged 29, received a sentence of two years and nine months in federal prison. This will be followed by three years of supervised release on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently. Additionally, Red Owl is required to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and provide restitution to the victim's family.
The offenses stem from an incident where Red Owl, under the influence of cocaine, was in possession of a loaded firearm while riding in the backseat of a moving vehicle. According to law enforcement, Red Owl inadvertently discharged the firearm, killing the driver.
Red Owl faced a federal indictment by a grand jury in November 2024, leading to his guilty plea on January 29, 2025. The prosecution occurred under the Major Crimes Act, requiring certain violent crimes in Indian Country to be tried in federal court rather than state court.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder handled the prosecution.
Following his sentencing, Red Owl was placed under the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
