Ansel White Eagle, Jr., Assault by Striking, South Dakota 2013

In a brutal gang fight, two brothers were sentenced to prison for their roles in Assault by Striking, Beating and Wounding.

U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes handed down the sentences on May 8, 2013, in a federal court in South Dakota. Joey White Eagle, 32, from Fort Totten, North Dakota, and Ansel White Eagle, Jr., 33, from Bullhead, South Dakota, were both found guilty of the charges.

The violent altercation took place on April 24, 2010, at Bullhead, pitting the Little Eagle family and their supporters against the White Eagle family and their supporters. An investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency, shed light on the events of that fateful night.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikal Hanson led the prosecution, bringing the perpetrators to justice. Ansel White Eagle, Jr., was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal to begin serving his 6-month sentence. He was also ordered to pay a $10 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

In a more lenient sentence, Joey White Eagle was given one year of probation, with four months of home confinement. He was also required to pay a $10 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

As the dust settles on this violent episode, the community can take comfort in the fact that those responsible have been held accountable. The convictions serve as a reminder that gang violence will not be tolerated in our society.

With this story, Grimy Times brings you the latest in crime reporting, shedding light on the darker corners of our world. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and stay with us for more updates on this and other cases.