Black Moon Gets 18 Months for Brutal Rosebud Assault

ROSEBUD, SD – A night out turned bloody in Rosebud, South Dakota, last October, and now Justin H. Black Moon is paying the price. The 27-year-old from Mission was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison on May 16, 2017, after pleading guilty to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange handed down the sentence, also ordering two years of supervised release and a $100 payment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The brutal attack unfolded at a public event on October 15, 2016. According to court documents, Black Moon confronted a man and launched into a vicious assault, repeatedly striking him. The victim didn’t just walk away with bruises; the beating left him with fractured nasal and orbital bones, necessitating immediate hospitalization. The details paint a picture of senseless violence that demanded a federal response.

Federal prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson, presented the case to a grand jury on November 9, 2016, resulting in an indictment. Black Moon initially contested the charges, but ultimately entered a guilty plea on February 21, 2017, likely facing the overwhelming evidence against him. The speed with which the case moved from indictment to sentencing suggests a clear and compelling case built by the prosecution.

This wasn’t just a bar fight gone wrong; the involvement of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services underscores the seriousness of the incident and the commitment to justice within the tribal community. Their investigation laid the groundwork for the federal prosecution, demonstrating a crucial partnership in maintaining law and order. It’s a reminder that even on tribal lands, federal laws apply when serious felonies occur.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler, announcing the sentence, offered no commentary beyond the facts of the case. The lack of additional statements speaks volumes – this was a straightforward case of violent crime, and the sentence reflects a commitment to holding perpetrators accountable. Black Moon was immediately taken into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence.

The 18-month sentence, while not lengthy, sends a message that such violent acts will not be tolerated. The two years of supervised release following his incarceration will provide continued oversight, hopefully preventing a repeat offense. For the victim, however, the physical and emotional scars of the assault will likely linger long after Black Moon’s release.

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