ABERDEEN, SD – A South Dakota man is headed to federal prison after admitting to the severe neglect of his infant child. Leslie Gerald Bobtail Bear, 27, of Little Eagle, South Dakota, was sentenced Friday, September 15, 2025, to nine months behind bars for the crime of Child Abuse.
U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann handed down the sentence, along with a two-year term of supervised release and an order to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The case originated with an indictment by a federal grand jury in March 2024, and Bobtail Bear entered a guilty plea on June 16, 2025.
Court records reveal the abuse occurred between May 12, 2023, and November 21, 2024, within Corson County, South Dakota, on the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. Bobtail Bear and his romantic partner stand accused of a pattern of severe neglect that ultimately necessitated the emergency hospitalization of their baby. Details of the specific injuries and conditions leading to hospitalization have not been publicly released.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office took the lead on this prosecution due to the Major Crimes Act. This federal statute grants jurisdiction to federal courts over certain crimes committed within Indian Country, overriding state jurisdiction. It’s a common tactic in cases like these, ensuring federal resources are brought to bear on crimes impacting tribal lands.
The FBI spearheaded the investigation, laying out the evidence that led to Bobtail Bear’s conviction. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem successfully prosecuted the case, presenting the evidence before Judge Kornmann. The details of the plea agreement remain sealed.
Following the sentencing, Bobtail Bear was immediately taken into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. His destination remains undisclosed, but he will serve his nine-month sentence in a federal correctional facility. This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of children and the consequences of neglect, even in remote corners of the country. Grimy Times will continue to follow this story as further details emerge.
RELATED: Little Eagle Woman Jailed for Aiding Child Abuse
Related Federal Cases
- Little Eagle Woman Jailed for Aiding Child Abuse · South Dakota
- Eagle Butte Man Jailed for Strangling Partner · South Dakota
- Eagle Butte Man Jailed for Beating Intimate Partner · South Dakota
- Eagle Butte Man Jailed for Brutal Assault · Utah
- Little Eagle Woman Sentenced for First Degree Burglary · 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
