A Bullhead, South Dakota man has been sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison after pleading guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell and delivered by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on August 18, 2025.
Martin Joseph Taken Alive, 32, will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term and must pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
According to court records, the incident occurred on January 4, 2024, inside a home located within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation in Bullhead. Both Taken Alive and the victim were heavily intoxicated when an argument broke out. During the dispute, Taken Alive used a knife to slash the victim across the chest before fleeing the scene. The victim’s injury was approximately six inches long and required hospitalization. Taken Alive later turned himself in to authorities that evening.
“Taken Alive was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2025. He pleaded guilty on June 2, 2025.”
The case fell under federal jurisdiction due to the Major Crimes Act, which requires certain violent crimes occurring in Indian country be prosecuted federally rather than at the state level.
“This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court.”
The Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem handled prosecution for the case.
“Taken Alive was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.”
