United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced Monday that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Watauga, South Dakota, man convicted of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and simple assault on a federal officer.
The sentencing took place on November 4, 2024.
Justin James Schneider, 39, was sentenced to over 13 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and a $125 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
His revolver was also forfeited.
A federal grand jury indicted Schneider in July of 2023. Following a jury trial, he was convicted on August 8, 2024.
On June 20, 2023, the Corson County Sheriff’s Office received credible information that Schneider had discharged a revolver earlier that day and was armed and dangerous. The Corson County Sheriff requested and received assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services to detain and arrest Schneider.
A BIA officer found Schneider in Bullhead, South Dakota, which lies within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. When the officer attempted to arrest him, Schneider fled in his pickup to a nearby pasture and engaged in an armed stand-off with Corson County deputies and BIA police officers.
Schneider eventually hopped back into his pickup and fled to the Bullhead Community Center, striking a police squad car en route. Schneider then exited his pickup, brandishing a revolver, gesturing wildly towards nearby civilians and disregarding repeated police commands to drop his gun.
As Schneider moved quickly towards unarmed children, a police officer shot him to protect the public. Schneider was taken into custody without further incident.
Schneider has nine prior felony convictions, including convictions for aggravated assault, assault against a law enforcement officer, felony driving under the influence, possession of methamphetamine and ingestion of methamphetamine.
