Manderson Man Indicted and Detained for Felony Murder and Arson

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Manderson, South Dakota, man for First Degree Murder, Attempted Murder, and Arson.

Reno Rondeau, age 51, was indicted in December of 2024. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann on January 3, 2025, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The mandatory penalty upon conviction for first degree murder is life in custody and up to a $250,000 fine and a $100 payment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Rondeau intentionally setting fire to and burning his brother's residence near Manderson in October 2024. When he set the fire, Rondeau knew the home was occupied by his brother and his brother's friend, who perished in the fire. Rondeau's brother suffered burn injuries but escaped the flames. The residence was completely destroyed in the fire.

The charges are merely accusations and Rondeau is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

This matter is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court.

The investigation is being conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox is prosecuting the case.

Rondeau was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.