Manderson Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for Domestic Violence

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Manderson, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner and Tampering with a Witness. The sentencing took place on April 8, 2024.

Cruz Gibbons, 28, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for the Tampering conviction, and five years in federal prison—the statutory maximum—for the Assault conviction, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently. Gibbons was also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Gibbons was indicted for Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner, Distribution of a Controlled Substance to an Individual Under 21 and Tampering with a Witness by a federal grand jury in October of 2023. He pleaded guilty on January 12, 2024.

The convictions stem from Gibbons beating his former girlfriend in August of 2023, which caused her substantial bodily injury. After being arrested, Gibbons contacted the victim hundreds of times from the jail and persuaded her to refuse to testify. Notwithstanding Gibbons’ efforts to thwart the investigation and case, investigators successfully assembled a case against Gibbons, leading to his guilty pleas and sentencing. 

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 Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

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