United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell has announced the conviction of Clayton Fire Thunder, a 40-year-old resident of Oglala, South Dakota. Fire Thunder was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of making false statements after a two-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was delivered on January 30, 2025.
The charges against Fire Thunder carry a potential maximum sentence of eight years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, along with three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Fire Thunder faced indictment by a federal grand jury in May 2024. The case stems from events that occurred on September 15, 2022. On that day, Fire Thunder traveled to an individual's residence near Pine Ridge, South Dakota while intoxicated. His intention was to meet with a methamphetamine dealer at the location to exchange a firearm for drugs. Upon arriving at the residence's front door and hearing noises inside, Fire Thunder mishandled his firearm outside the building, causing it to discharge into the house.
The discharged bullet penetrated the siding and entered an adjacent bedroom where both the methamphetamine dealer and a female were present. The bullet struck the woman on her left side below her arm; she later died from her injuries. During interviews with FBI agents in October 2023 and May 2024, Fire Thunder provided false statements regarding his involvement with the firearm and the incident.
The investigation was conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety alongside the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen led prosecution efforts for this case.
Following his conviction, a presentence investigation has been ordered for Fire Thunder ahead of his sentencing scheduled for April 25, 2025. He is currently held in custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.