A South Dakota active-duty airman, Quinterius Chappelle, was arrested on federal charges after allegedly murdering a missing Native American woman, 21-year-old Sahela Toka Win Sangrait, on a military base. Chappelle, stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder during a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann. Authorities determined that Sangrait was killed sometime in August 2024, and her remains were found earlier this month in a wooded area near the Pennington and Custer County line. The cause of death has not yet been released, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit confirmed that Sangrait was a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
Chappelle, assigned to the 28th Maintenance Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, a journeyman in aircraft inspection, entered the service on April 30, 2019. Col. Derek Oakley, 28th Bomb Wing commander, expressed condolences for Sahela’s family and emphasized accountability for airmen’s actions, stating that those found in violation of military or civilian laws will be punished. Chappelle is being held at the Pennington County Jail by the U.S. Marshals Service, with no trial date set. U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell praised the collaboration between law enforcement agencies in swiftly charging Chappelle, acknowledging that he remains innocent until proven guilty under the criminal justice system.
The discovery of Sangrait’s remains just 10 days prior to Chappelle’s arrest highlighted the cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies involved in the case. In addition to the U.S. Marshals Service, authorities such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Rapid City Police Department, and South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation participated in the investigation. The Police Department stated that a hiker found a badly decomposed body, confirmed to be Sangrait, in the area, leading to further inquiries into her death. The Victim Services Program from the Bureau of Indian Affairs is aiding Sangrait’s family during this challenging time.
Chappelle’s disciplinary history, if any, is protected under the Privacy Act of 1974, leaving unanswered questions about his past behavior within the military. The ongoing investigation continues to unravel the circumstances of Sangrait’s death, while Chappelle faces the legal process as the accused perpetrator. The collective efforts of law enforcement professionals in swiftly addressing the case have been recognized by U.S. Attorney Ramsdell, reassuring that the facts and evidence will be presented before a judge and jury. The tragic loss of Sangrait has left her family and friends grieving after months of uncertainty and searching for answers.
The shocking nature of Sangrait’s murder and the subsequent arrest of an active-duty airman have brought attention to the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women in the United States. The case has highlighted the need for awareness and action to address the violence faced by Native American women in the country. As the legal proceedings against Chappelle unfold, authorities continue to work diligently to uncover the truth behind Sangrait’s death and bring justice to her family. The support of various law enforcement agencies and victim services programs demonstrates a commitment to finding answers and providing assistance to those impacted by such tragic events.
