McLaughlin Man Sentenced to Nearly 14 Months in Federal Prison for Burglary in the Standing Rock Reservation

ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man convicted of First-Degree Burglary. The sentencing took place on November 4, 2024.

Nathaniel B. Griffin, age 49, was sentenced to nearly 14 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Griffin was indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2023. He pleaded guilty on July 29, 2024.

Shortly after nightfall on July 5, 2023, Griffin and two co-defendants went to a woman's home in McLaughlin to assault a man they believed had inappropriately touched a girl. McLaughlin lies within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. As the woman yelled at them to go away, one of the co-defendants kicked in her front door. Griffin and another co-defendant rushed into the house while their accomplice stood on the stoop. Although the man was passed out, one of Griffin's co-defendants repeatedly kicked him in the face while Griffin illumined the scene with a cell phone flashlight. The man incurred a broken nose and shattered orbital and sinus bones in the affray. He still struggles with his vision and headaches today.

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 Bureau of Indian Affairs - Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

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