Kyle Man Sentenced to over 3 Years in Federal Prison for Assaulting a Woman in the Pine Ridge Reservation

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on February 23, 2026.

Clay Loafer, 30, was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,915.20 in restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Loafer was indicted for Kidnapping and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury by a federal grand jury in March of 2025. He pleaded guilty on November 3, 2025.

Loafer was convicted of brutally assaulting a woman with whom he had a brief relationship by repeatedly striking and punching her about her face and body.

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.

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