top of page
Search

Waubay Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Enemy Swim Shooting Incident

Wooden gavel in a courtroom with a blurred U.S. flag and judge’s bench; Northeast Radio SD logo in the corner.

Northeast Radio SD News – Waubay, SD - A 19-year-old Waubay man has been sentenced to 20 months in federal prison following a June 2025 shooting incident in Enemy Swim, South Dakota, U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons announced Thursday.


Dawson Roger Locke received the sentence on August 17, 2026, from U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann after pleading guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon on June 1, 2026. Following his prison sentence, Locke will serve three years of supervised release and must pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. He was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


Incident Details and Investigation

The conviction stems from an incident on June 28, 2025, when Locke and a group of individuals were drinking in Enemy Swim. An argument broke out between Locke and another young adult, which quickly escalated. Locke drew a handgun from his waistband and fired three shots toward the victim, striking him once in the leg.


A federal grand jury indicted Locke in August 2025. The case was prosecuted under the Major Crimes Act, a federal law requiring violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country to be handled in federal court rather than state court.


The joint investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribal Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb served as the prosecutor.

Northeast Radio banner with social icons, live streaming hours, website, phone number, and slogan South Dakota's local voice on teal-green background
"Northeast Radio: South Dakota's Local Voice streaming live Monday to Friday, 7 AM - 1 PM, featuring independent news broadcaster Steve Jurrens. Tune in for updates on social media or listen live on the Northeast Radio App."

bottom of page