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Victim Beaten by Common-Law Spouse
A shocking incident of domestic violence has shaken the community of Eagle Butte, South Dakota. On February 20, 2014, 40-year-old Harold Picotte III brutally assaulted his common-law wife, leaving her wounded.
According to the investigation, Picotte got into a heated argument with the victim, which escalated into a physical altercation. He struck, beat, and wounded the woman, who has lived with him as a spouse for several years.
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services investigated the case and gathered evidence against Picotte. He was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury on May 13, 2014, for Assault by Strangulation.
However, Picotte pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of Assault by Striking, Beating and Wounding on July 17, 2014. This plea deal spared him a harsher sentence, but it did not erase the severity of his crime.
On September 17, 2014, U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno handed down a sentence to Picotte. He was ordered to serve 18 months of probation, six months of home confinement, and pay a $25 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikal Hanson prosecuted the case, bringing justice to the victim. The community is left to grapple with the aftermath of this tragic incident, and a reminder that domestic violence will not be tolerated.
The prosecution’s efforts send a clear message: those who commit domestic violence will be held accountable for their actions. The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, is seeking support and counseling to recover from the trauma inflicted upon her.
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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