Murder Charges Filed Against St. Francis Man

State: South Dakota
Category: Violent Crime|Crime
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/st-francis-man-charged-first-degree-murder-kidnapping-interstate-transportation-stolen" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

Riley McCloskey, a 20-year-old St. Francis, South Dakota, man, faces serious charges after a federal grand jury indicted him on First Degree Murder, Kidnapping, Interstate Transportation of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, and Larceny.

According to the indictment, the crimes took place between December 23, 2013, and December 24, 2013. McCloskey and others allegedly killed two victims during the perpetration of kidnappings and aided each other in the commission of the offenses.

One of the victims was strangled until he was unconscious and then stabbed in the chest with a screwdriver. The second victim was assaulted and also stabbed in the chest with a screwdriver.

Mccloskey is also accused of stealing a motor vehicle and driving it from Nebraska across the state line into South Dakota.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and the Cherry County, Nebraska Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie H. Ruettgers is prosecuting the case.

Riley McCloskey appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 21, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Superseding Indictment. He was originally indicted on two counts of Second Degree Murder, Aiding and Abetting on January 7, 2014.

McCloskey was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

Related Federal Cases