Ellsworth Airman because of murder second degree in the death of the woman near Hill City | State news

{KXLG – South Dakota} A plane that is stationed on the Ellsworth Air Force Base was charged with the second degree in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found near Hill City at the beginning of this month.

Quinterius Charles Chappelle, 24, was released on Monday, March 17, 2025, in front of the US magistrate judge Daneta L. Wollmann and started not guilty of a federal criminal complaint.

The complaint claims that Chappelle killed the Sangrait Sangrait on Ellsworth Air Force Base in August 2024. Sangrait's remains were discovered in a forest area near Hill City, South Dakota, in early March.

In the event of conviction, Chappelle is exposed to a maximum punishment for life in custody and/or a fine of 250,000 US dollars, five years overlooked release and a payment of 100 US dollars to the Fondal Crime Fund. The court can also order the refund.

The US lawyer Alison J. Ramsdell praised the cooperation between the law enforcement authorities during the investigation. “This indictment, which was submitted only ten days after the victim was discovered, reflects the hidden work of the federal, state and local law enforcement authorities, who have worked seamlessly in order to promote every lead with absolute practicality and care,” said Ramsdell in the press release.

Ramsdell also emphasized the presumption of innocence and stated: “According to the criminal judicial system, this charges are only an allegation, and the accused is innocent until the facts and evidence in this case are punished in front of a federal judge and a federal judge.” She added that the office “Hearts with the victim's family and the victim's family are, who, after many painful months, mourn the search for answers.”

The FBI examines the death of Sangrait, the Sheriff office of Pennington County, the Rapid City Police Department, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and Missing and Murder of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The deputy US lawyer Paige Petersen and Benjamin Schroeder pursue the case.

Chappelle was referred to the care of the US Marshals service until the negotiation. A test date was not set.