Related Federal Cases
- Robert Wolfe Jr., Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, South Dakota 2026 · South Dakota
- Lisa Lone Eagle, Kerosene Attack, South Dakota 2016 · South Dakota
- Lisa Lone Eagle, Assault With a Dangerous Weapon, South Dakota 2016 · Utah
- Corbyn Big Eagle, Homicide by Stabbing, South Dakota 2015 · South Dakota
- Kyle White Bull, Domestic Assault by Habitual Offender, South Dakota 2017 · South Dakota
Three Men Sentenced for Burning Down 98-Year-Old Church
South Dakota – On April 18, 2016, Cody Yellow, Ake Kyle Eagle Hunter, and Robert Grindstone, all from Eagle Butte, South Dakota, were sentenced for their roles in burning down a 98-year-old church on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.
The defendants, aged 27, 29, and 28 respectively, were convicted of Third Degree Burglary and Arson. Cody Yellow was sentenced to 41 months in custody, Ake Kyle Eagle Hunter to 35 months, and Robert Grindstone to 37 months. All three were also ordered to serve 2 years of supervised release, pay $3,776.92 in restitution to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe for the cost of extinguishing the fire, and each pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The destruction of the church structure is still pending restitution for an additional 90 days.
On July 19, 2015, the defendants drove from Eagle Butte to St. Basil’s Church, a/k/a Mossman Church, located on United States Highway 212 near Ridgeview, South Dakota, to visit a friend’s grave at the cemetery. After visiting the grave site, Cody Yellow kicked open the door to the church, and once inside, the three men vandalized the church.
Robert Grindstone found a can with liquid inside it in a room next to the altar and one of the others suggested burning the church down. He opened the can and intentionally dropped the metal container, letting the contents spill out. After that, one of the other two men lit the liquid accelerant on fire, causing the church to burn to the ground and resulting in a total loss.
The case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
Defendant(s): Cody Yellow, Ake Kyle Eagle Hunter, Robert Grindstone
Criminal Charge(s): Third Degree Burglary, Arson
City and State: Eagle Butte, South Dakota
Exact Date: April 18, 2016 (sentencing)
Sentence or Outcome: Cody Yellow – 41 months in custody, Ake Kyle Eagle Hunter – 35 months, Robert Grindstone – 37 months
Dollar Amounts: $3,776.92 in restitution to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
