A brutal assault in Pine Ridge, South Dakota has resulted in a lengthy prison sentence for the perpetrator. Alphonso Belt, 50, was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, a federal crime.
The assault occurred on November 2, 2011, at Pine Ridge, when Belt stabbed his friend in the neck with a knife while the two were drinking. The victim suffered paralysis to the neck and limited mobility below the chest.
Belt was indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon by a federal grand jury on November 15, 2011. The charges were later confirmed after the assault resulted in serious bodily injury to the victim.
On December 18, 2012, Belt pled guilty to the charges. This decision marked the end of a long process that had begun with the assault on November 2, 2011.
Alphonso Belt was sentenced on April 2, 2013 by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court. In addition to the 46 months’ imprisonment, Belt was also ordered to pay $100 to the Victim Assistance Fund.
According to the U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson, the sentence reflects the severity of the crime. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.
Immediately following the sentencing, Belt was turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. The case serves as a reminder of the consequences of violent crime and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Related Federal Cases
- Andrew Frost, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, South Dakota 2016 · South Dakota
- Charles Hollow Horn, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, South Dakota 2017 · South Dakota
- Kevin Yellow Earring, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, South Dakota 2017 · South Dakota
- Dace Lunderman, Assault With a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, South Dakota 2017 · South Dakota
- Justin H. Black Moon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, South Dakota 2017 · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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