Watauga Man Punched, Broke Man’s Nose: Justin James Schneider Convicted
Aberdeen, SD – Justin James Schneider, a 38-year-old man from Watauga, South Dakota, has been found guilty of Assault by Striking, Beating or Wounding following a two-day federal jury trial in Aberdeen.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Schneider was indicted by a federal grand jury in January of 2023 for his role in the October 26, 2022 altercation. The incident occurred at McIntosh, South Dakota, within the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.
Schneider, a non-Indian man, was taking out the trash when he saw another man, a tribal member, he believed had wronged him several months earlier. Schneider gestured for the man to join him in a neighbor’s yard, where he accused the man of misconduct. The situation escalated, and Schneider punched the man several times in the face. He then forced the man to apologize for the alleged misdeed and punched him once more on the nose, breaking it.
The Corson County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI investigated the incident, which was later prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem. Schneider remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in federal prison and/or a $100,000 fine, one year of supervised release, and a $25 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered. A presentence investigation report was ordered, and a sentencing date of August 1, 2024, was set.
The assault conviction is a stark reminder of the need for accountability and justice on Native American reservations. As the investigation and prosecution of Schneider demonstrate, federal authorities will not hesitate to take action against those who commit violent crimes, regardless of their background or circumstances.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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