The sentencing was handed down on October 24, 2023, as revealed by United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell.
A South Dakota man, Noah Virgil White Lance, III, aged 34, has been sentenced by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange of the U.S. District Court for his involvement in a tragic case of Voluntary Manslaughter and Child Abuse
South Dakota man, White Lance, a resident of Rapid City, South Dakota, will spend a total of 18 years in a federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Additionally, the South Dakota man, White Lance has been directed to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
This case traces back to November 2022 when White Lance was indicted by a federal grand jury. South Dakota man, White Lance admitted his guilt on July 10, 2023. The disturbing events occurred after White Lance and his two daughters relocated from Rapid City to Mission, South Dakota, in early August 2022. While in Mission, he subjected his younger daughter to physical abuse, involving striking her in the head and body. Shockingly, a South Dakota man, White Lance even commanded his older daughter to participate in this cruel discipline.
On August 11, 2022, White Lance instructed his older daughter to discipline her younger sibling for a bathroom rule violation
Following his instructions, the older daughter abused her sister, leading to the younger daughter’s non-responsiveness. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries two days later. An autopsy revealed traumatic head injuries, multiple rib fractures, and numerous cuts and bruises. The cause of death was determined to be a traumatic brain injury caused by non-accidental trauma, potentially exacerbated by the older sibling’s actions.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office handled this case due to the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, which requires the prosecution of certain violent crimes in Indian Country to occur in Federal court, as opposed to State court.
The FBI, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and Sioux Falls Police Department conducted the investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case. South Dakota man, White Lance has been immediately taken into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.