Martin Joseph Taken Alive Sentenced

A brutal knife attack in a Bullhead, South Dakota home has landed Martin Joseph Taken Alive, age 32, in federal prison for 3 ½ years. The sentencing, which took place on August 18, 2025, was the culmination of a violent incident that occurred on January 4, 2024.

According to court documents, Taken Alive and an adult male victim were heavily intoxicated and arguing in a home within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. The dispute escalated, and Taken Alive drew a knife, slashing the victim across the chest. The wound, approximately six inches long, required hospitalization. Taken Alive fled the scene but later turned himself in to law enforcement.

On March 2025, a federal grand jury indicted Taken Alive, and he pleaded guilty on June 2, 2025, to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case due to the Major Crimes Act, which mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case. U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann sentenced Taken Alive to three years and six months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Taken Alive was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The sentencing of Martin Joseph Taken Alive serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of violent crime. The fact that the incident occurred in Indian country highlighted the importance of federal jurisdiction in such cases. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement agencies will continue to work together to prosecute violent crimes and ensure justice is served.

As Taken Alive begins his 3 ½ year prison sentence, the community can take comfort in knowing that those who commit violent crimes will be held accountable. The case was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Taken Alive was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following the sentencing.

The incident and subsequent sentencing of Martin Joseph Taken Alive also underscore the need for continued efforts to address the root causes of violent crime in communities. By working together, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and community leaders can help prevent such incidents and ensure that justice is served. The case will serve as a deterrent to those who would commit similar crimes, and the community can move forward with a sense of closure and justice.