PIERRE, SD – Julian Moran, 31, and Jalynn Lapointe, 30, both of Mission, South Dakota, are headed to federal prison after a brutal assault and theft that unfolded on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation last September. U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte delivered the sentences this week, bringing a measure of justice to a vicious attack that left a man battered and his vehicle stolen.
The incident, which occurred September 8, 2024, in the parking lot of a Mission convenience store, began with Moran confronting the victim and delivering a forceful punch to the face, sending the man tumbling to the ground. But the assault didn’t stop there. As the victim attempted to flee towards the store, Moran pursued, knocking him down *again*. This time, Moran escalated the violence, producing an expandable baton and repeatedly striking the already downed victim.
Lapointe then joined the fray, adding insult to injury – and serious bodily harm – by repeatedly kicking the victim while he lay helpless on the ground. The pair’s callous disregard for the victim’s well-being was compounded by their subsequent theft. Moran, spotting the victim’s keys, snatched them up, entered the man’s vehicle, and drove off, leaving the battered man in the parking lot.
Both Moran and Lapointe were indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2024. Moran pleaded guilty on June 24, 2025, to Assault With a Dangerous Weapon and Larceny. He received a sentence of three years and six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Lapointe, 30, pleaded guilty on June 26, 2025, to Assault With a Dangerous Weapon and was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison, also with three years of supervised release and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell emphasized the federal jurisdiction in this case, explaining that the Major Crimes Act mandates federal prosecution of certain violent crimes occurring within Indian Country. This ensures a consistent and robust response to crime affecting tribal communities. The investigation was spearheaded by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, with the prosecution handled by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson.
Moran and Lapointe were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. While this sentencing provides some closure, the Grimy Times will continue to monitor federal cases impacting South Dakota’s tribal lands, shining a light on the ongoing struggle for justice and safety in these often overlooked communities.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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