Elias James LaPointe, Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Individual Under Age 16, South Dakota 2014

Wood, South Dakota – Elias James LaPointe, a 21-year-old man from Wood, South Dakota, has been sentenced to 33 months in custody for his role in a heinous crime that left a minor under the age of 16 with substantial bodily injuries.

On October 23, 2013, LaPointe was caring for the victim at his home in Mellette County. However, in a shocking turn of events, LaPointe assaulted the victim, causing a subdural hematoma, an injured jaw, a damaged pancreas, a bruised scrotum, and numerous other hematomas and injuries. What’s even more disturbing is that LaPointe failed to seek medical treatment for the victim, leaving the child to suffer in agony.

It wasn’t until approximately 2:30 p.m. that the victim’s mother arrived home and took the victim to the doctor. The child was eventually taken to a Sioux Falls hospital for treatment. The extent of the injuries was a grim reminder of the severity of the assault.

LaPointe was indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Child Abuse by a federal grand jury on January 15, 2014. He later pleaded guilty to Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Individual Under Age 16 on March 31, 2014.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case, ensuring that LaPointe faced justice for his heinous crimes.

On June 30, 2014, U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange sentenced LaPointe to 33 months in custody, 2 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. LaPointe was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, bringing an end to his reign of terror.

The sentence handed down to LaPointe serves as a stark reminder that child abuse will not be tolerated in our society. It’s a message that should be echoed by all, and one that we hope will serve as a warning to would-be offenders.

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