Geordie Long, an 18-year-old from Rosebud, South Dakota, is facing federal charges after being indicted for the violent assault of a dating partner by strangulation. The indictment, handed down on October 16, 2018, marks a grim escalation in a case that underscores the brutal reality of intimate partner violence on tribal lands.
Long appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on May 15, 2019, where he formally entered a plea of not guilty. Despite the plea, the charges carry a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine. Additional penalties include up to 3 years of supervised release, a mandatory $100 payment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and possible restitution.
The federal indictment alleges that on August 26, 2019, Long unlawfully assaulted an intimate partner through strangulation and suffocation. Details of the attack remain sealed, but the charge—classified as a serious federal offense—reflects the severity of the alleged act and the priority placed on prosecuting domestic violence in Indian Country.
The investigation was conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, highlighting the critical partnership between tribal authorities and federal prosecutors in bringing violent offenders to justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore is leading the prosecution, signaling a determined push to hold Long accountable under federal law.
Long was released pending trial, a decision that has stirred tension within the close-knit community. No trial date has been set, leaving the victim and local residents in limbo. Advocates warn that delays in such cases often compound trauma and erode trust in the justice system.
The charge against Geordie Long is merely an accusation, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. As the case moves forward, it casts a harsh light on the epidemic of domestic violence in tribal communities—and the long road to justice for survivors.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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