WHITE HORSE, SD – A man from White Horse, South Dakota, will spend the next five months behind bars for a brutal assault that left his victim with a fractured eye socket and lingering health problems. Shawn Traversie, age 32, received his sentence on March 7, 2017, from U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange, following a guilty plea entered in December 2016.
According to court documents, the incident unfolded on December 10, 2015, when Traversie engaged in an argument with the victim. The dispute quickly escalated into violence, with Traversie delivering a powerful blow to the victim’s right eye with a closed fist. The initial strike caused flashes of light and sent the victim tumbling from the bed to the floor. But Traversie wasn’t finished. While the victim lay helpless, he continued the assault, striking her multiple times on the head.
The victim immediately felt damage to her eye socket. Days following the attack, she reported debilitating headaches, nausea, dizziness, and a loss of balance. Medical evaluations later confirmed a non-acute fracture to a small bone within her right eye socket, a painful and potentially long-term injury. The details of the assault paint a picture of callous disregard for the victim’s well-being.
Traversie was originally indicted by a federal grand jury on February 17, 2016, and faced the charge of Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury. He ultimately admitted guilt to the charge, leading to the sentencing handed down this week. In addition to the five-month custodial sentence, Traversie will be subject to two years of supervised release following his incarceration.
U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced the sentence, emphasizing the seriousness of the crime. Traversie was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund – a paltry sum considering the extent of the victim’s injuries.
The investigation into this violent act was conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, highlighting their commitment to justice within their community. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller skillfully prosecuted the case, securing a conviction and a sentence that, while minimal, sends a message that such brutality will not be tolerated. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on further developments.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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