Allen Man Found Not Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that an Allen, South Dakota, man was acquitted of Involuntary Manslaughter following a federal jury trial in Rapid City, South Dakota, on September 25, 2024.

Layne Sharp, age 28, was indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2023.

The charge related to Sharp allegedly operating a motor vehicle on May 15, 2022, near Pine Ridge while under the intoxicating influence of alcohol after which the vehicle crashed resulting in another male being killed.

The investigation was conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe - Department of Public Safety and the FBI. The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the case.