Man from Oglala, South Dakota, Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter

U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of South Dakota
19 September 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Oglala, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Involuntary Manslaughter.

Clifford Running Hawk, age 44, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on September 11, 2020, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 8 years in a federal prison, and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

Running Hawk is alleged to have operated a motor vehicle in a negligent manner, including driving while under the influence of alcohol and speeding, which caused a crash with an oncoming vehicle. One of the passengers in that vehicle died from the injuries she sustained in the crash.

The charge is merely an accusation and Running Hawk is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Sazama is prosecuting the case.

Running Hawk was released on bond pending trail. A trial date has been set for November 17, 2020.