OCTOBER 2023:
US District Court Judge Charles B. Kornmann has decided on the punishment for a 24 year old McLaughlin woman convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter.
Jessica Black Cloud was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
On April 19, 2022, Black Cloud was driving a vehicle in Corson County within the Standing Rock Indian Reservation and she had two passengers with her. She was drinking vodka and was under the influence of alcohol and her blood alcohol content was .248%, or more than three times the legal limit. At some time after 3:00 AM, she drove into a curve in the roadway on U.S. Highway 12, lost control of her vehicle, over-corrected, and entered the ditch. Her vehicle spun out of control and ultimately rolled. One of her passengers was partially ejected and died at the scene. A second passenger remained in the vehicle and had minor injuries. Black Cloud was also ejected and injured, but received medical care and recovered.
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 South Dakota Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Standing Rock Agency, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case.
Black Cloud was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
AUGUST 2022:
A 23 year old McLaughlin woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Involuntary Manslaughter.
Jessica Ann Black Cloud pled not guilty.
The Indictment alleges that on April 19, 2022, in Corson County Black Cloud unlawfully killed another person while operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to eight years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Standing Rock Agency, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, the FBI, the Corson County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.
Black Cloud was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
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