United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Sheldon Flute, a 29-year-old man from Oglala, South Dakota, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for involuntary manslaughter. The sentencing was carried out by U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler on January 6, 2025.
Flute's sentence includes three years of supervised release following his prison term and a $100 special assessment payable to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
In November 2023, Flute faced charges of involuntary manslaughter and felony child abuse and neglect after being indicted by a federal grand jury. He entered a guilty plea on October 7, 2024.
The incident occurred in August 2023 when Flute drove under the influence with his infant son in the vehicle. The car rolled near Loneman, South Dakota, resulting in fatal injuries to the infant who was not secured in a car seat. After the accident, Flute left the scene with his injured child and was later located by law enforcement at a residence in Red Shirt, South Dakota. The infant succumbed to injuries sustained during the crash.
The prosecution of this case fell under federal jurisdiction due to the Major Crimes Act, which requires certain violent crimes occurring in Indian Country to be tried in federal court rather than state court.
The investigation was conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth led the prosecution.
Following sentencing, Flute was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.