Alison J. Ramsdell U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Grady Laine Uses Arrow, a resident of Little Eagle, South Dakota, has been sentenced to two years and 11 months in federal prison. The sentencing was delivered by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on June 9, 2025. Following his prison term, Uses Arrow will undergo three years of supervised release and is required to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Uses Arrow, aged 34, faced charges of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon after being indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2025. He entered a guilty plea on February 13, 2025.
The incident occurred on August 2, 2024, at a residence in Little Eagle within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. During an altercation where his former girlfriend pushed his mother to the floor, Uses Arrow reacted by stabbing her in the head with a knife. As she attempted to escape outdoors, he pursued and stabbed her again despite efforts from several witnesses trying to intervene. The assault resulted in two head lacerations for the victim that required stitches.
The case fell under federal jurisdiction due to the Major Crimes Act, which requires certain violent crimes occurring in Indian country to be prosecuted federally rather than at the state level.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem led the prosecution.
Following his sentencing, Uses Arrow was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
