Couple Sentenced to Over 37 Years in Federal Prison for Murder, Failing to Report Murder, and Illegal Firearms Possession

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Second-Degree Murder and Discharge of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence. The sentencing took place on August 1, 2024.

Jerel Running Bear, age 34, was convicted of Second-Degree Murder, and was sentenced to 27 years and three months in federal prison consecutive to 10 years in federal prison for Discharging a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence. Running Bear was also ordered to complete five years of supervised release on each charge with the time to be run concurrently. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each charge.

On August 9, 2024, U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier sentenced an Oglala, South Dakota, woman for her role in failing to report the murder of the 21-year-old female victim to law enforcement. Serena Fast Horse, age 39, was convicted of Misprision of a Felony and was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison, followed by one-year supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Running Bear and Fast Horse were indicted for the charges by a federal grand jury in November of 2023. Running Bear pleaded guilty on April 5, 2024, and Fast Horse pleaded guilty on May 10, 2024.

On the evening of November 8, 2023, Running Bear and two other individuals, including the 21-year-old female victim, went to Wounded Knee to obtain fentanyl pills from a source. When the source did not show up, Running Bear, who was under the influence of controlled substances, grabbed a rifle from the trunk of the vehicle and shot the female who was seated in the backseat. The other female took off running and alerted law enforcement. Running Bear then picked up Fast Horse, his girlfriend at the time. Running Bear removed the victim from the vehicle and left her on the side of the road, while Fast Horse watched. The next day, the two fled to Nebraska after being spotted by law enforcement. Fast Horse threw out items from the vehicle, including controlled substances. The two were eventually apprehended. After Running Bear was placed into custody, Fast Horse did not tell law enforcement about watching Running Bear dispose of the victim's body on the side of the road.

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 FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

Running Bear was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and Fast Horse was ordered to self-surrender on August 30, 2024.