Frank White Thunder, a 38-year-old resident of Mission, South Dakota, was found guilty by a federal jury in Pierre on January 30, 2026. The charges include second degree murder, committing a crime of violence while failing to register as a sex offender, robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and failure to register as a sex offender.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota, the verdict followed a four-day trial. Each charge carries significant penalties. Second degree murder can result in life imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines. Committing a crime of violence while failing to register as a sex offender has a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 30 years in prison. Robbery is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Both assault charges carry maximum sentences of ten years each. Failure to register as a sex offender also carries up to ten years in prison.
White Thunder was indicted along with Jesse White Thunder and Michael Leader Charge by a federal grand jury in November 2024. Evidence presented at trial showed that on October 22, 2024, Michael Leader Charge drove Frank White Thunder and Jesse White Thunder to the Antelope housing community near Mission. Frank White Thunder confronted the victim outside a residence and stabbed him with a martial-arts style sword. Jesse White Thunder then took two imitation pistols from the victim’s pockets. Surveillance footage captured their vehicle leaving the scene; all three men were located the next day.
Frank White Thunder had previously been convicted of abusive sexual contact in 2008 and was required to register as a sex offender and update his registration within three business days after any change of residence. At the time of this incident, he had an active federal arrest warrant for failing to register.
On October 6, 2025, Jesse White Thunder and Michael Leader Charge pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact related to an assault with a dangerous weapon; both are awaiting sentencing.
“This was a senseless, intentional killing,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons. “We will do our best at the upcoming sentencing to make sure this defendant never has the opportunity to murder again.”
The case was investigated by Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the United States Marshals Service, and the FBI. Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
A presentence investigation has been ordered for Frank White Thunder; no sentencing date has been set yet.
Kucera was remanded into custody pending sentencing.
