Pine Ridge Woman Sentenced to 2 Years of Federal Probation for Participating in an Assault within the Pine Ridge Reservation

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, woman convicted of Assault by Beating, Striking, or Wounding. The sentencing took place on February 27, 2026.

Joann Sutton, 24, was sentenced to two years of federal probation and ordered to pay a $25 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Sutton was indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury - Aiding and Abetting and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon - Aiding and Abetting by a federal grand jury in November 2024. She pleaded guilty on December 1, 2025.

Accompanying her sister, Jessie Sutton, Joann Sutton set upon and attacked another woman beating her about her body with a weapon and kicking her. The woman suffered injuries requiring immediate medical attention. Jessie Sutton, charged with a federal felony assault charge, is scheduled to be sentenced later.

This matter was 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.

This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.