Mission Man Sentenced for Involuntary Manslaughter

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Dakota
May 14, 2014

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Mission, South Dakota man convicted of involuntary manslaughter was sentenced on May 13, 2014, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno.

Colin Whirlwind Solider, age 21, was sentenced to 30 months in custody, three years of supervised release, a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and $7,560.68 in restitution.

Whirlwind Soldier was indicted for involuntary manslaughter by a federal grand jury on November 14, 2013. He pled guilty on February 20, 2014.

The conviction stems from an incident that took place on September 18, 2013, when Whirlwind Soldier was driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Whirlwind Soldier drove between 65 and 69 miles per hour in a 35-mile per hour zone, failed to keep the vehicle on the roadway, and rolled. The victim was ejected from the vehicle and killed as a result of blunt force trauma sustained in the crash. Whirlwind Soldier had a blood alcohol level of .178.

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case.

Whirlwind Solider was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.