Active-duty US airman charged in killing of missing woman on military base

A tragic and disturbing incident has unfolded in South Dakota, where an active-duty airman stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base has been arrested and charged with the murder of a missing Native American woman. Sahela Toka Win Sangrait, a 21-year-old member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, was reported missing on August 10, 2024. Her disappearance sent shockwaves through her community and sparked a rigorous investigation. Authorities have now confirmed that her remains were discovered in a wooded area near the Pennington and Custer County line earlier this month. The.sourceforge of her death is still under investigation, and the case has drawn widespread attention due to its horrific nature and the swift collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Quinterius Chappelle, a 24-year-old Airman Basic, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with Sangrait’s death. Chappelle, who serves as an aircraft inspection journeyman in the 28th Maintenance Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann on Monday and entered a plea of not guilty. He is currently being held at the Pennington County Jail in Rapid City, South Dakota, under the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A trial date has not yet been set, and the case is expected to unfold in federal court. The U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota, Alison Ramsdell, emphasized that the charges against Chappelle are merely accusations at this stage and that he is innocent until proven guilty. She also praised the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies, which worked seamlessly to investigate the case and bring the suspect to justice within just 10 days of discovering Sangrait’s remains.

The investigation into Sangrait’s disappearance and death was a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the Rapid City Police Department, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. The Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU) also played a critical role in the case, as Sangrait was a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. The MMU’s Victim Services Program is now providing support to her family as they navigate the devastating loss of their loved one. The discovery of Sangrait’s body was made by a hiker who stumbled upon a badly decomposed body in a wooded area. Authorities were able to confirm her identity, though no identifying information was found at the scene. The cause of death has not yet been released, and the exact circumstances of her murder are still under investigation.

The case has struck a chord in the Native American community, which has long faced disproportionately high rates of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Sahela’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the ongoing crisis of violence against Native American women, a issue that has garnered national attention in recent years. The MMU, established to address this crisis, has been instrumental in assisting with cases like Sahela’s, working to bring justice to victims and support to their families. As the investigation continues, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has assured that they will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Sahela’s case is handled with the care and urgency it deserves.

Ellsworth Air Force Base officials have also issued a statement expressing their condolences to Sahela’s family and loved ones. Col. Derek Oakley, commander of the 28th Bomb Wing, emphasized the importance of accountability within the military, stating that service members who violate military or civilian law will face consequences. Oakley also highlighted the base’s cooperation with local law enforcement agencies throughout the investigation. While Chappelle’s disciplinary history is protected under the Privacy Act of 1974, the case serves as a stark reminder of the need for transparency and accountability within the military and beyond.

As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on seeking justice for Sahela and her family. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has made it clear that the facts and evidence in this case will be thoroughly litigated in federal court, ensuring that the justice system operates fairly and impartially. In the meantime, the community continues to grieve the loss of a young life, and advocates for Native American rights are calling for continued awareness and action to address the systemic issues that contribute to such tragedies. Sahela’s story is a painful reminder of the need for collective efforts to protect vulnerable populations and ensure that no family has to endure such a heartbreaking loss.