Porcupine Man Battese Sentenced for Pine Ridge Reservation Assault

Porcupine, SD – The grim tale of Elijah Keith Battese, 25, from Porcupine, South Dakota, has reached its somber conclusion with a federal prison sentence. U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell delivered the verdict this week, announcing that Battese was sentenced to one year and one day behind bars followed by three years of supervised release for his heinous assault within the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Battese’s crime spree began on September 27, 2024, when he struck a juvenile male with a vacuum handle. The young victim suffered a 1.4-inch laceration to his right-ear area, necessitating eleven sutures from emergency medical services. His path to justice was delayed, but now it has arrived with a heavy price tag for Battese.

The federal government took the lead in this case due to the Major Crimes Act, which stipulates that certain violent crimes occurring in Indian Country must be prosecuted at the federal level. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder handled the prosecution, ensuring justice was served on behalf of the victim and the community.

Battese’s sentence includes a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, reflecting the nation’s commitment to supporting victims of violent crime. His conviction came after a federal grand jury indicted him on two counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in January 2025, which he pleaded guilty to on May 2, 2025.

This case was thoroughly investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division before Battese faced justice. With his sentence finalized, Battese will now begin serving his time in federal custody, leaving behind a trail of pain and a community seeking healing.

Battese was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his sentencing, ensuring he begins serving his term without delay.

RELATED: Porcupine Man Gets Time for Reservation Assault