Ross Dean Farrell, Assault With Intent to Commit Murder, South Dakota 2013

McLaughlin Man Faces Up to 20 Years in Prison for Assault With Intent to Commit Murder

Ross Dean Farrell, a 21-year-old resident of McLaughlin, South Dakota, has pleaded guilty to Assault With Intent to Commit Murder, a federal charge that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. 3 years of supervised release and an additional 2 years of supervised release upon revocation are also possible. Restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund may also be ordered.

The crime took place on an unknown date when Farrell was socializing with the victim and others in the basement of his home. At some point, the victim went to sleep on a mattress on the floor. Farrell, outraged by a perceived slight he had received from either the victim or another person, found the victim and pulled him off the mattress onto the cement floor. He then proceeded to repeatedly stomp the victim on the head and face with his shod feet.

Farrell's actions were driven by a clear intent to kill the victim, as evidenced by the severity of the attack. The victim sustained severe head trauma and required hospitalization, numerous emergency surgeries, and a medically induced coma.

The investigation into the assault was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.

Farrell was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing, which has been set for September 9, 2013. The court will determine the severity of the sentence based on the circumstances of the crime and the defendant's prior record, if any.

Ross Dean Farrell, 21, of McLaughlin, South Dakota, pleaded guilty to Assault With Intent to Commit Murder. The charge stems from an incident in which Farrell attacked the victim, leaving them with severe head trauma. Farrell could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/mclaughlin-man-pleads-guilty-assault-intent-commit-murder