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Two Pine Ridge Men Sentenced for Assault with a Metal Bar
Wesley Running Shield, 28, and Michael Alford, 33, both of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, were sentenced to 15 years in custody for their roles in a brutal assault that left a victim with serious injuries.
On June 12, 2014, Running Shield and Alford used a metal bar to break the victim’s leg and hand, causing a large laceration on his head. The victim was found with severe injuries at Pine Ridge.
The convictions stem from a four-day federal jury trial in Rapid City in February. The men were found guilty of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken handed down the sentences on June 2, 2015. Running Shield and Alford were also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and serve three years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah B. Collins and Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.
Running Shield and Alford were immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service. The sentences reflect the severity of the crime and the impact it had on the victim.
The assault was a senseless act of violence that has left a lasting impact on the community. The sentences handed down by the court send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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