RAPID CITY, S.D. – Two brothers , one showing remorse, the other not, were sentenced Friday in federal court for their part in a 2019 kidnapping and assault.
In October of 2022, Jessie and Dustin Sierra was found guilty of kidnapping and interstate domestic violence of a young woman on the Pine Ridge reservation in July of 2019.
Jesse, 37, was sentenced to two life sentences, one for the kidnapping charge and one for aggravated sexual abuse. He also received 10 year sentences on three other charges: interstate domestic violence, assault and assault by strangulation of a dating partner.
Dustin, 38, was sentenced for aiding and abetting Jesse and received 10 years and a month for kidnapping, and 10 years for interstate domestic violence, to be served concurrently.
After hearing statements, Judge Daneta Wollmann sentenced the younger brother to a more severe sentence based in part on what she considered a lack of remorse.
The older brother Dustin, said he felt bad for his part int he crime and accepted any punishment the court deemed necessary. Wollman reduced his sentence after hearing that he accepted responsibility for his part.
