Matthew Long Crow Charged in Knife Kidnapping, Assault

A Ft. Thompson man is facing federal charges after allegedly kidnapping and brutally assaulting his girlfriend with a knife in March 2016. Matthew Long Crow, 38, was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 12, 2016, on charges of Kidnapping, Assault with Intent to Commit Murder, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

The indictment, unsealed in U.S. District Court, claims Long Crow held the woman against her will between March 10 and March 19, 2016, before attacking her with a knife. The assault left the victim with serious bodily injury, according to prosecutors. The attack occurred within the jurisdiction of the Crow Creek Indian Reservation.

Long Crow appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 19, 2016, where he entered a plea of not guilty. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges. If convicted, Long Crow faces up to life in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The court may also order restitution.

The investigation was led by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Crow Creek Agency, which has jurisdiction over major crimes committed in Indian Country. Agents worked closely with tribal authorities to build the federal case amid longstanding challenges in prosecuting violent crime on reservations.

Despite the severity of the charges, Long Crow was released on bond pending trial. No trial date has been scheduled as of the latest court filings. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota emphasized that the indictment is an accusation, and Long Crow is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This case underscores the federal government’s role in prosecuting violent crimes in Indian Country, where local jurisdictions often lack the authority to try serious felonies. As the legal process unfolds, advocates for victims of domestic violence are watching closely, calling the charges a critical step toward accountability.