An active-duty U.S. airman was recently arrested and charged with allegedly murdering a Native American woman on a military base.
In a Monday press release, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota announced that 24-year-old Quinterius Chappelle, an active-duty U.S. airman stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, has been charged with second-degree murder for the death of 21-year-old Sahela Toka Win Sangrait, who has been identified as a Native American woman.
According to the press release, Chappelle pleaded not guilty to a federal criminal complaint on Monday during an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann.
“The complaint charges Chappelle with killing Sahela Toka Win Sangrait on Ellsworth Air Force Base in August 2024,” the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota stated. “Sangrait’s body was found earlier this month in a wooded area near Hill City, South Dakota.”
The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Sangrait had been reported missing since August 10, 2024.
“Quinterius Chappelle has been arrested on federal charges for 2nd Degree Murder and is being held at the Pennington County Jail,” the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office said. “Chappelle is an active-duty Airman currently stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base. It has been determined Sangrait was murdered on the base.”
The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office explained that a hiker recently discovered a “badly decomposed body” near the Pennington County and Custer County line in South Dakota.
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Announcing the second-degree murder charge against Chappelle, U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell said, “This charge, filed just 10 days after the victim’s remains were discovered, reflects the dogged work of federal, state, and local law enforcement professionals who seamlessly collaborated to run down every lead with absolute expediency and care.”
“Under the criminal justice system, this charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is innocent until proven guilty; the facts and evidence in this case will be litigated before a federal judge and jury,” Ramsdell added. “At this time, our hearts are with the victim’s family and friends, who, after many agonizing months of searching for answers, are now grieving the tragic death of their loved one.”
Ellsworth Air Force Base officials told Fox News that Chappelle was assigned to the 28th Maintenance Squadron and worked as an aircraft inspection journeyman after joining the Air Force in April of 2019.
“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Sahela,” Col. Derek Oakley, 28th Bomb Wing commander, told Fox News. “We hold Airmen accountable for their actions, and if service members are found in violation of military or civilian law, they will be punished.”
According to Fox News, Chappelle is currently in U.S. Marshals Service custody at the Pennington County Jail, which is located in Rapid City, South Dakota.
