Month: September 2022

Source: United States Department of Justice News

SIOUX FALLS – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury was sentenced on September 22, 2022, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Melvin Semon, age 55, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Semon was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2022.  He pleaded guilty on June 16, 2022.

On the evening of January 3, 2022, Semon became angry with the victim in their Eagle Butte home. He hit her and threw her against the kitchen chairs or table, breaking her right arm. Rather than assisting her, he departed. Responding officers found the victim sitting on the kitchen floor, crying and clutching her right arm. She required extensive reconstructive surgery to reset the bone and will likely never regain full function of her arm.

This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

Semon was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

SIOUX FALLS – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that two South Dakota women have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Firearm charges.

Sarah Jahner Clifford, of Gettysburg, South Dakota, age 44, was indicted in September of 2022.  She appeared before Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 21, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

Tara Roberts, of Ridgeview, South Dakota, age 45, was indicted in September of 2022.  She appeared before Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 19, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody, and/or a $10,000,000 fine, lifetime of supervised release, and $400 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that the two women were involved in a conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine in and around central South Dakota. The Indictment further alleges that Jahner-Clifford, who is a prohibited person, was illegally in possession of two firearms, including a short-barrel shotgun.

The charges are merely an accusation and Jahner-Clifford and Roberts are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case. 

Roberts was released on bond pending trial.  Jahner-Clifford was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.  A trial date has been sent for November 15, 2022.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – LANCE STEVENS, age 26, a resident of Gretna, Louisiana, was charged on September 22, 2022 in a six-count indictment for violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and the Federal Controlled Substances Act.

STEVENS is charged in Count 1 with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and tramadol, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(D), and 841(b)(1)(E).  In Count 2, STEVENS is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).  In Count 3, STEVENS is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).

STEVENS is charged in Count 4 with possession with intent to distribute tapentadol, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).  In Count 5, STEVENS is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).  In Count 6, STEVENS is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).

As to Count 1, STEVENS faces a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, at least two years of supervised release for trafficking marijuana and at least one year of supervised release for trafficking tramadol, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. As to Count 4, STEVENS faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, at least three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.  As to Counts 2 and 5, STEVENS faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years up to life imprisonment on each count, to run consecutively to all other sentences, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.  As to Counts 3 and 6, STEVENS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years as to each count, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The case was investigated by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys David Berman and Rachal Cassagne are in charge of the prosecution.

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