United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced the sentencing of Austin Cody Littlewind, a 22-year-old from Spirit Lake, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota. Chief Judge Peter D. Welte sentenced Littlewind to 192 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. The sentencing follows Littlewind's guilty plea to second-degree murder within Indian country.
In November 2023, Littlewind stabbed another man to death in Fort Totten, North Dakota, after a confrontation over $40. As part of his sentence, he is required to pay restitution for funeral and related expenses.
"This crime was both extremely violent and totally pointless," Schneider stated. "While there is no undoing the tragic loss of life that occurred, we hope this sentence provides a measure of justice and reassures the community that violent criminals will be pursued, prosecuted, and sent to federal prison for their crimes."
Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis commented on the case: "Senseless acts of violence have no place in our communities. Today’s sentencing reaffirms that committing a violent crime carries serious consequences."
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Lori H. Conroy.