Allen Woman Jonnie Fineran Charged in Brutal Stabbing

MANDERSON, SD – A quiet stretch of land near Manderson became a crime scene on July 24, 2020, when a man was brutally stabbed to death. Now, authorities have charged 18-year-old Jonnie Fineran, of Allen, South Dakota, with First Degree Murder in connection with the killing. The details are grim, and the stakes are impossibly high.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced the federal charge on August 4, 2020. Fineran made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on August 12, 2020, entering a plea of not guilty. The case, now firmly in the hands of the federal system, promises a protracted and likely ugly legal battle.

If convicted, Fineran faces a mandatory life sentence in federal prison. Beyond that, the penalty includes a hefty $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release following her imprisonment, and a $100 contribution to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution to any affected parties could also be ordered by the court.

Investigators allege that Fineran intentionally killed the man with a stabbing. The location – Manderson, within the Oglala Sioux Tribe lands – brought the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety into the investigation, working alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This collaborative effort underscores the severity of the crime and the need for a thorough, multi-agency response.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is leading the prosecution. He’ll be tasked with building a case strong enough to overcome Fineran’s not-guilty plea and convince a jury of her guilt. Currently, Fineran is being held without bail, awaiting a trial date that has not yet been set. She remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case closely, bringing you updates as they develop. This isn’t just another docket number; it’s a life lost, a community shaken, and a young woman facing the potential end of her freedom. The investigation remains active, and we’ll be here to report the unvarnished truth, no matter how ugly it gets.