Eagle Butte Man Jailed for Brutal Assault

PIERRE, SD – Jared Bourland, 38, of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, will be trading the plains for a federal cell after a jury found him guilty of Assault by Striking, Beating, or Wounding, and Simple Assault. The verdict came after a federal trial held in Pierre, a grim reminder that violence doesn’t respect reservation lines.

The charges stem from a December 28, 2016 incident that began with a welfare check. Bourland’s own mother-in-law, clearly concerned, contacted law enforcement. Upon arrival at the Bourland residence, officers found the victim visibly distressed, crying, and trapped. She immediately told officers she wanted to leave, and was allowed to do so. But the story didn’t end there.

Later that night, the full horror of the situation came to light. The victim disclosed to authorities that Bourland had not only prevented her from leaving initially, but had subjected her to a brutal attack – strangling, kicking, and punching her. She received treatment for her injuries at Indian Health Services, a stark illustration of the cycle of violence that plagues too many communities.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced the guilty verdict, signaling a commitment to prosecuting violent crime in South Dakota, even on tribal lands. The charge of Assault by Striking, Beating, or Wounding carries a maximum penalty of 1 year in federal prison and/or a $100,000.00 fine, along with 1 year of supervised release and a $25.00 assessment for the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The Simple Assault charge could add another 6 months behind bars and a $5,000.00 fine, plus another $10.00 to the victim’s fund.

Bourland was originally indicted by a federal grand jury back on November 14, 2017 – a three-year wait for justice. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services led the investigation, demonstrating vital collaboration between tribal and federal authorities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case, successfully bringing Bourland to account for his actions.

A presentence investigation has been ordered, meaning the U.S. Marshals Service now holds Bourland in custody while the court determines the extent of his punishment. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. One thing is certain: Bourland’s days of terrorizing others, at least for the foreseeable future, are over. This case serves as a warning – violence will not be tolerated, and those who inflict it will face the full weight of the law.

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