July 22, 2021 - Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, woman convicted of Assault by Striking, Beating, or Wounding was sentenced on July 19, 2021, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno.

Leilih Smart, age 33, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison, to be followed by 12 months of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $25.

Smart was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 13, 2019.  She pled guilty on April 8, 2021.    

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on December 31, 2018, in Eagle Butte.  The Defendant wounded a 22-month-old child by holding the child’s hands under running tap water, which was between 139- and 150-degrees Fahrenheit.  The child suffered extensive bilateral burns on his wrists and hands.  

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

Smart was ordered to self-report to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service by August 18, 2021.

Source: DOJ Release