NOVEMBER 2022:
A federal judge has handed out the punishment for a 44 year old man from McLaughlin convicted of First Degree Murder and Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence that Causes Death.
Casey Lynn Crow Ghost was sentenced to life in federal prison on both charges, ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and ordered to forfeit his ownership of a handgun used in the crimes.
The convictions stem from the December 12, 2020, shooting death of Crow Ghost’s romantic partner in McLaughlin on the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. The victim’s body was discovered on December 15, 2020, and an autopsy determined she died from a gunshot wound to the back of the head. Crow Ghost was interviewed by law enforcement and claimed that the shooting was both an accident and a result of self-defense. Evidence gathered by law enforcement showed Crow Ghost murdered the victim with a handgun and did so with premeditation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Standing Rock Agency, and the Corson County Sheriff’s Office.
Crow Ghost was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
AUGUST 2022:
After a three day federal jury trial, 44 year old Casey Lynn Crow Ghost of McLaughlin was found guilty of First Degree Murder and Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence that Causes Death.
The convicted charges carry penalties of mandatory life in prison and a $250,000 maximum fine, as well as a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and restitution.
The conviction stems from the December 12, 2020, shooting death of Crow Ghost’s romantic partner in McLaughlin. The victim’s body was discovered on December 15, 2020, and an autopsy determined she died from a gunshot wound to the back of the head. Crow Ghost was interviewed by law enforcement and claimed that the shooting was both an accident and a result of self-defense. Evidence gathered by law enforcement showed Crow Ghost murdered the victim with a handgun and did so with premeditation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Standing Rock Agency, and the Corson County Sheriff’s Office.
A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for October 31, 2022. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
JANUARY 2021:
A 42 year old man from McLaughlin has been indicted by a federal grand jury for First Degree Murder and Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence that Causes Death.
Casey Lynn Crow Ghost pled not guilty.
The Indictment alleges on December 12, 2020, Crow Ghost with premeditation and malice aforethought, did unlawfully murder a female victim by shooting her with a handgun in McLaughlin.
The maximum penalty if convicted is life in prison, a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, forfeiture of the firearm used in the offenses and restitution may be ordered.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.
Crow Ghost was remanded to the custody of the US Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Comments