⏱ 2 min read
Reno Rondeau, a 52-year-old man from Manderson, South Dakota, intentionally set fire to his brother’s residence in October 2024, killing Tanya White Butterfly and injuring his brother, John Rondeau, Sr. The fire completely destroyed the residence, and Rondeau was later indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2024. On May 18, 2026, Rondeau was sentenced to life in federal prison for his crimes.
The sentencing followed a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, where Rondeau was found guilty of First Degree Felony Murder, Assault With Intent to Commit Arson, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Arson. U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler handed down the life sentence, also ordering Rondeau to pay $400 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The case was investigated by the FBI, with U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons and FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson commenting on the severity of the crime and the justice served by the sentence. Rondeau’s actions were described as ‘truly horrific’ by U.S. Attorney Parsons, who stated that life in prison was the maximum punishment allowable by law in these circumstances.
The sentence brings closure to the family of Tanya White Butterfly, a former correctional officer with the Oglala Sioux Tribe, who lost her life in the fire. While the sentence cannot fill the void left by her death, it serves as a measure of justice for her and her loved ones.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: Arson
- Location: SD
- Source: DOJ Press Release
