Kaylee Spotted Elk, a 28-year-old from Rosebud, South Dakota, is facing federal charges after being indicted for Involuntary Manslaughter and Perjury. The twin indictments, returned by a federal grand jury, stem from separate incidents—one a deadly crash, the other a sworn lie under oath—painting a disturbing picture of recklessness and deception.
The first indictment, filed on March 2, 2020, alleges that on January 12, 2020, Spotted Elk operated a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner in Todd County, resulting in the death of a man. The crash, investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the FBI, has been classified as criminally negligent under federal law due to the severity of her actions behind the wheel.
The second charge hits closer to the justice system itself. On June 16, 2020, Spotted Elk was indicted for Perjury after allegedly lying about a material fact during a federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota, on November 6, 2019. At the time, she was under oath, having sworn to tell the truth—yet federal prosecutors say she deliberately misled the court.
On August 14, 2020, Spotted Elk appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno and entered a plea of not guilty to both indictments. Despite her plea, the charges carry a heavy potential penalty: up to 8 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and possible restitution.
The investigations were jointly handled by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, underscoring the collaboration between tribal and federal authorities in prosecuting crimes within Indian Country. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kirk W. Albertson and Cameron J. Cook are leading the prosecution.
Spotted Elk has been remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. No trial date has been set. The charges remain accusations, and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Related Federal Cases
- Spotted Horse Faces Decades for Alleged Abuse · South Dakota
- Tiffany Spotted War Bonnet Indicted in Stabbing Assault · South Dakota
- Rapid City Man Gets 8 Years for Voluntary Manslaughter · South Dakota
- Rapid City Man Gets 8 Years for Voluntary Manslaughter · South Dakota
- Felon Gets 2+ Years for Illegal Gun · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
