Francis Lee Dubray, Assault and Burglary, South Dakota 2025

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Federal Prison Sentence for Francis Lee Dubray

Aberdeen, SD – In a shocking turn of events, Francis Lee Dubray, a 35-year-old McLaughlin, South Dakota resident, has been sentenced to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison for his role in a violent assault and burglary on the Standing Rock Reservation.

The incident occurred on July 5, 2023, when Dubray and two co-defendants went to a woman’s home in McLaughlin to assault a man they believed had inappropriately touched a girl. However, their actions quickly escalated into a brutal attack, leaving the victim with a broken nose, shattered orbital and sinus bones, and ongoing vision problems.

Dubray’s co-defendants rushed into the house, repeatedly kicking the victim in the face and striking him with a bar while the woman pleaded for them to stop. As the victim lay helpless, Dubray kicked the woman in the face and fled the scene with his companions.

The Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services.

Dubray was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after the sentencing, which took place on June 16, 2025. As part of his sentence, Dubray was ordered to pay a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The victim still struggles with his vision and headaches today, a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of Dubray’s actions. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes, particularly in cases involving violence and intimidation.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant: Francis Lee Dubray, Age: 35, Crime: First Degree Burglary, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Date: July 5, 2023, Sentence: 5 years and 10 months in federal prison, Supervised Release: 3 years, Fine: $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.