Spencer High Hawk, Aiding and Abetting Second Degree Murder, South Dakota 2023

Rapid City, SD – A brutal crime that shook the small town of Wounded Knee has come to a close. Spencer High Hawk, 27, will spend the next 30 years behind bars for his role in Aiding and Abetting Second Degree Murder.

The victim, whose identity has not been released, was beaten to death in June of 2022. High Hawk was found guilty of the crime on September 8, 2023, following a four-day federal jury trial.

The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because 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.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth led the prosecution, working tirelessly to ensure that justice was served. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division.

High Hawk was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service immediately after the sentencing. The victim’s family, who have been through unimaginable pain, can finally find some sense of closure with the conviction and sentencing of High Hawk.

The people of Wounded Knee can now begin the process of healing and moving forward, knowing that justice has been served. This outcome is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the FBI, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Spencer High Hawk’s 30-year sentence is a stark reminder that violent crime will not be tolerated in our communities. The people of South Dakota can rest assured that those who commit such heinous crimes will be held accountable.

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