EAGLE BUTTE, SD – Dante Johnson, an Eagle Butte man, will spend the next 15 years in federal prison for the fatal shooting of a neighbor in January 2019. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange handed down the sentence on August 17, 2020, after Johnson pleaded guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.
According to court documents, the incident unfolded on January 12, 2019, when Johnson fired a handgun. The victim, hearing the shot, went to investigate. As the victim approached, Johnson allegedly pointed the handgun and shot him in the chest. The victim immediately collapsed and succumbed to the gunshot wound. An Information was filed against Johnson on January 14, 2019, and he entered a guilty plea on June 1, 2020.
The 15-year prison term will be followed by five years of supervised release. Johnson was also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. He was immediately taken into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following the sentencing. This isn’t just about one man’s actions; it’s about the ripple effect of violence in our communities.
United States Attorney Ron Parsons emphasized that this case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive program aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve. The DOJ reinvigorated PSN in 2017, directing U.S. Attorney’s Offices to forge partnerships to develop effective, locally-driven strategies.
Furthermore, the case falls under Project Guardian, the DOJ’s initiative to combat gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Launched in 2019, Project Guardian focuses on coordinating federal, state, local, and tribal authorities, improving information-sharing regarding prohibited individuals attempting to purchase firearms, and directing resources towards the most dangerous criminals. Details on Project Guardian can be found at https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available, shining a light on the dark corners of federal crime across the nation.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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