St. Francis Man Gets 5 Years for Brutal Assaults

PIERRE, SD – A St. Francis man is headed to federal prison after receiving a five-year sentence for two counts of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. Chief Judge Robert A. Lange handed down the sentence to Charles Cordier, 25, on July 1, 2024, following a federal conviction that stemmed from a brutal pair of attacks on the Rosebud Reservation.

According to court documents, the first assault occurred on February 12, 2023, when Cordier struck a man in the face with a metal bar. The victim sustained a fractured mandible, requiring medical attention in both Rosebud and Rapid City. The second assault took place on March 26, 2023, after a month-long feud with another man. During the encounter, both men were armed – the victim with a chain, and Cordier with a pistol. Cordier opened fire, fracturing a bone in the victim’s forearm. Again, the victim required extensive medical care in Rosebud and Rapid City.

Cordier was initially indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2023 and ultimately pleaded guilty on April 1, 2024. Beyond the five-year prison term, Judge Lange also ordered three years of supervised release upon Cordier’s release and a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The attacks, both occurring within the confines of the Rosebud Reservation, underscore the persistent violence plaguing Native communities.

U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell highlighted that this case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through coordinated law enforcement efforts. The program emphasizes community trust, violence prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, doubling down on these core principles.

The prosecution of Cordier was mandated by the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute requiring that certain violent crimes occurring in Indian Country be handled by federal courts, rather than state courts. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher successfully prosecuted the case, with the investigation conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. The quick work of tribal authorities, combined with federal prosecution, led to this conviction.

Following the sentencing, Cordier was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal to begin serving his five-year sentence. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor this case and report on further developments as they occur, providing a stark look at the realities of crime within the federal system and on tribal lands.

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