RAPID CITY — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - South Dakota), published as received.
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that a Porcupine, South Dakota, man convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter was sentenced on November 21, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken.
Cassian Richards, 21, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Richards was indicted for Involuntary Manslaughter by a federal grand jury in March of 2022. He pleaded guilty on July 29, 2022.
The conviction stems from Richards who, while in possession of a loaded semi-automatic firearm, got into an altercation at a home near Porcupine in February of 2022. Following the altercation, Richards fled the home with the firearm and got into a vehicle. While getting into the vehicle, Richards carelessly and recklessly handled the firearm and caused the firearm to discharge. The discharged bullet struck another male within the vehicle. The victim succumbed to his injuries within moments of being shot.
This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Sazama prosecuted the case.
Richards was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
