South Dakota man Jeremy Old Horse pleads guilty to federal charges of strangulation and assault resulting in serious bodily injury

Jeremy Old Horse, 39, pleaded guilty in federal court to a violent assault on the Pine Ridge Reservation that left a woman with permanent facial deformities.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 4:43 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from KOTA TV

Violent Assault on the Pine Ridge Reservation

A legal case stemming from a brutal domestic assault in early 2024 reached a significant milestone this week in Rapid City. Jeremy Old Horse, aged 39, appeared in federal court on Wednesday to formally address charges related to an attack on a woman within the boundaries of the Pine Ridge Reservation. According to court documents and the official statement filed by federal prosecutors, the incident occurred in January 2024 and involved extreme physical violence directed at the victim.

Details of the Physical Attack and Strangulation

The federal statement of facts describes a harrowing ordeal in which Old Horse utilized several methods of physical assault. During the altercation, he reportedly kneed the woman in the face with significant force. In addition to the blunt force trauma, prosecutors alleged that Old Horse applied pressure to the woman’s neck, effectively cutting off her breathing. This combination of physical battery and strangulation led to the dual charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault by strangulation.

Severe Injuries and Long-Term Deformity

Following the attack, the victim required emergency medical transport to Monument Health in Rapid City for specialized care. Medical evaluations revealed the true extent of the devastation caused by the assault. Doctors documented severe swelling and bruising around both eyes, along with multiple fractures to the left eye socket and other areas of her face. The injuries were so severe that medical professionals confirmed a lasting deformity to the victim's eye, highlighting the permanent nature of the bodily harm inflicted by Old Horse.