Dillon Yellow Hawk Sentenced

A brutal assault in rural South Dakota has landed 27-year-old Dillon Yellow Hawk behind bars for seven years. Yellow Hawk was sentenced on May 6, 2024, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, for two counts of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

The sentencing came after Yellow Hawk pleaded guilty on February 5, 2024, to the charges stemming from an incident on April 24-25, 2023, at his grandmother’s residence in Gregory County, South Dakota, on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. Yellow Hawk, his cousin, aunt, and others were consuming alcohol when an argument escalated into a physical fight between Yellow Hawk and his cousin.

The fight took a deadly turn when Yellow Hawk grabbed his shotgun and fired at his cousin, striking him in the abdomen. Yellow Hawk then entered his grandmother’s bedroom, where his aunt attempted to grab the gun to prevent another shot. However, Yellow Hawk fired a second shot, striking his aunt’s arm, which was near the muzzle.

Both victims were transported to Sioux Falls for medical treatment and required surgery for their injuries. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office due to the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute that mandates certain violent crimes in Indian Country be prosecuted in federal court.

The investigation was led by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, with assistance from the Gregory County Sheriff’s Office, the Burke Police Department, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case, which resulted in Yellow Hawk being sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Yellow Hawk was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. The case highlights the ongoing issue of violent crime in Indian Country and the need for cooperation between federal, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies to bring perpetrators to justice.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement agencies involved in the case have demonstrated their commitment to protecting the community and holding those who commit violent crimes accountable for their actions. As Yellow Hawk begins his sentence, the community can take comfort in knowing that justice has been served.