Pine Ridge Shooter Lester Waters Jr. Faces Decades Behind Bars

RAPID CITY, SD – Lester Waters Jr., 38, of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, will likely spend a significant portion of his life behind bars after a federal jury found him guilty on multiple counts related to a shocking act of violence that unfolded on January 25, 2018. Waters Jr. was convicted of 2 counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, 2 counts of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and 2 counts of Discharging, Brandishing, or Possessing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.

The evidence presented at trial painted a grim picture of a party in Pine Ridge turned into a scene of chaos and bloodshed. Prosecutors detailed how Waters Jr. unleashed a volley of gunfire – four shots in total – into a crowd of people. Three of those bullets ripped into one victim, leaving him permanently paralyzed. Another bullet slammed into the face of a second victim, inflicting extensive and debilitating injuries. The courtroom was reportedly silent as details of the injuries were laid bare.

Each Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury charge carries a hefty maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, alongside a potential $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 contribution to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. However, it’s the firearms charges that carry the most severe weight – each mandating a minimum of 10 years in prison. With multiple firearm counts, Waters Jr. is facing a substantial mandatory minimum sentence, potentially extending far beyond the assault charges.

U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons, announcing the guilty verdict, highlighted the case as a key component of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). This initiative, a collaborative effort between all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve, aims to aggressively tackle violent crime. The Department of Justice revitalized PSN in 2017, signaling a renewed commitment to targeting dangerous criminals and forging partnerships to ensure safer neighborhoods.

The investigation into the shooting was a joint effort between the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather Sazama and Eric Kelderman skillfully prosecuted the case, successfully presenting the evidence that led to Waters Jr.’s conviction. Their meticulous work ensured that justice, however delayed, would be served for the victims and the Pine Ridge community.

Waters Jr. remains in custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, awaiting his sentencing hearing scheduled for September 17, 2019. The sentencing promises to be a somber occasion, as the judge will determine the appropriate punishment for a defendant who irrevocably altered the lives of two victims and terrorized a community. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing outcome.