Fort Thompson Duo Get Double-Digit Prison Stints in Shooting

PIERRE, SD – A violent home invasion on the Crow Creek Sioux Indian Reservation has landed two Fort Thompson men in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte handed down stiff sentences this week to Trevin Witt, 18, and Lawrence Taylor, 21, for their roles in a brutal assault that left one man clinging to life.

The incident, which unfolded on April 13, 2024, saw Witt and Taylor forcibly enter the victim’s home. According to court documents, Witt brandished a firearm, holding it to the head of a resident and demanding the victim’s location. When the victim emerged from the basement, Witt opened fire. Miraculously, the victim survived.

Trevin Witt, facing the most serious charges, pleaded guilty to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Using and Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Judge Schulte sentenced him to 11 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Witt was also ordered to pay a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Lawrence Taylor, who pleaded guilty to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, received a sentence of four years and nine months in federal prison, also followed by three years of supervised release and a $200 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Both men were immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service after sentencing.

The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office under the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute that mandates federal prosecution of certain violent crimes occurring within Indian Country. This ensures that serious offenses on tribal lands receive the full weight of federal law. The investigation was a joint effort between the FBI and the BIA-Office of Justice Services – Crow Creek Agency.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley skillfully prosecuted the case, securing convictions against both Witt and Taylor. The indictment came down in June 2024, with Witt entering his guilty plea on February 24, 2025, and Taylor following suit on May 15, 2025. This conviction serves as a stark reminder that violence against anyone, especially within vulnerable communities, will not be tolerated.

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