United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Norris, South Dakota, man convicted of Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender was sentenced on June 15, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Alvin Bear Heels, Jr., age 45, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Bear Heels was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 9, 2020.  He pled guilty on March 26, 2020.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on February 20, 2020, wherein Bear Heels assaulted his daughter at their home in Norris, by brandishing a knife at her.  At the time of this incident, Bear Heels had two prior convictions in Rosebud Sioux Tribal Court for Domestic Abuse, and a prior conviction in U.S. District Court for Assault With a Dangerous Weapon against his spouse. 

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.

Bear Heels was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender, Child Abuse, and Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Distribute.

Alvin Bear Heels, Jr., age 45, was indicted on March 9, 2020.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on March 12, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on April 7, 2019 and February 20, 2020, in Mellette County, South Dakota, Bear Heels unlawfully committed a domestic assault against a spouse or intimate partner and that, at the time of the domestic assault, Bear Heels had at least two prior convictions for offenses that would have been, if subject to federal jurisdiction, an assault against a spouse or intimate partner.  The Indictment further alleges that at the same time and place, Bear Heels did abuse, expose, torture, torment, and cruelly punish two different children who had not attained the age of eighteen. The Indictment further alleges that in the district of South Dakota and elsewhere, Bear Heels knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

The charges are merely accusations and Bear Heels is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.   

Bear Heels was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.