Aberdeen, South Dakota – U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced Rodd Rough Surface, a 46-year-old Kenel man, to federal prison for assault.
Rough Surface was found guilty of Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner. The sentencing took place on October 10, 2023.
According to the indictment, on May 29, 2021, Rough Surface was at his home in Kenel, within the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, in Corson County. He was drinking alcohol with his dating partner, the victim, when they got into an argument. Rough Surface then assaulted the victim, using his hands to strangle her and giving her a black eye, bruising, and rendering her unconscious.
Rough Surface was indicted for assault by a federal grand jury in August of 2022. He pleaded guilty on July 10, 2023.
The Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because it falls under this federal statute.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case.
Rough Surface was sentenced to two years and one day in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Rough Surface was ordered to self-surrender to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons by October 31, 2023.
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- Martin Joseph Taken Alive, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, South Dakota 2024 · South Dakota
- Andrew Frost, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, SD, 2016 · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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