Alison J. Ramsdell U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota
A man from Kyle, South Dakota, has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler on October 31, 2025.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Channing Little Whiteman, 39, will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term and must pay $200 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Little Whiteman was indicted on six counts of assault by a federal grand jury in March 2025. He pleaded guilty to two assaults that took place on separate occasions.
On May 13, 2024, authorities responded to an incident at Little Whiteman’s residence after an argument with his girlfriend escalated. During the altercation, Little Whiteman assaulted her with a bat and a cigarette, resulting in a fractured leg and a burn on her thigh.
Another assault occurred on November 5, 2024. After another argument with his girlfriend over accusations of infidelity while they were drinking together, Little Whiteman struck her in the face with a metal chair. This caused fractures to her orbital bone and maxillary sinus as well as a large laceration under her eye; she temporarily lost vision due to swelling. At the time of this attack, the victim was seven months pregnant.
The prosecution explained that the case fell under federal jurisdiction because the Major Crimes Act requires certain violent crimes committed in Indian country be prosecuted federally rather than at the state level.
The investigation was conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.
Little Whiteman was immediately remanded into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
