United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that two men from St. Francis, South Dakota, have been sentenced in a federal case involving arson and burglary charges. U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte handed down the sentences.
Michael Valandra, Jr., 28, and Donald Aquallo, Jr., 26, were indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024. Valandra pleaded guilty to arson on July 24, 2024, and was sentenced on October 29, 2024, to three years and one month in federal prison. He will also serve three years of supervised release and pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Aquallo pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary on December 2, 2024. On March 5, 2025, he received a sentence of one year and six months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. He is also required to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crimes Victim Fund.
The incident occurred on January 5, 2024, when Valandra and Aquallo broke into an unoccupied home in St. Francis with the intent to commit arson. Valandra set multiple fires inside the residence before both men fled on foot. The fire completely destroyed the property despite efforts from emergency services after it was reported by the homeowner.
Security cameras captured footage of both individuals approaching and leaving the scene before flames became visible. The crime took place within the Rosebud Indian Reservation.
This case fell under federal jurisdiction due to the Major Crimes Act which requires certain violent crimes occurring in Indian Country be prosecuted federally rather than at the state level.
The investigation was conducted by Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson led the prosecution.
Both Valandra and Aquallo were taken into custody by U.S. Marshals immediately following their sentencing hearings.