A Mission, South Dakota man has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for assaulting another man with a machete. U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte sentenced Robert Romero, 48, to five years and eight months in prison on October 20, 2025. After his release, Romero will serve three years of supervised release and must pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Romero was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2024 and pleaded guilty on July 21, 2025. The charges stem from an incident that took place in May 2024 on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. According to authorities, Romero was driving in Mission when he saw the victim walking along the road. He stopped his vehicle, argued with the victim, then got out and struck the victim’s arm with a machete. The injury required hospitalization.
United States Attorney Ron Parsons stated: “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 case was investigated by Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson.
After sentencing, Romero was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
