Rosebud Man Sentenced for Involuntary Manslaughter

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on July 22, 2024.

Jiles Whipple, age 20, was sentenced to two years and six 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. Whipple was further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $17,173. Additional restitution may apply.

Whipple was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. He pleaded guilty on March 18, 2024.

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on May 28, 2022, in Rosebud, South Dakota, within the boundaries of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. On that date, Whipple was drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking marijuana at his residence in Rosebud. He subsequently departed the residence in a vehicle that he knew had faulty brakes. As he was driving, Whipple ran a stop sign at a three-way intersection and struck a passing pickup truck. A five-year-old child was riding in the bed of the pickup truck and suffered fatal injuries as a result of the wreck.

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 Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.

Whipple was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.