Active U.S. Airman Charged with Murder in Connection to Discovery of Missing Woman’s Remains
A 24-year-old airman stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota has been charged with second-degree murder following the discovery of a woman’s remains earlier this month, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota.
Quinterius Charles Chappelle appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann on March 17 and pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stems from the death of Sahela Toka Win Sangrait. Authorities say Sangrait was killed on the base in August 2024, and her body was found in a wooded area near Hill City in early March.
If convicted, Chappelle faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine, along with five years of supervised release and a mandatory contribution to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The court may also order restitution.
U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell acknowledged the swift collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement in the investigation, which led to the filing of charges within ten days of the remains being discovered.
“Under the criminal justice system, this charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is innocent until proven guilty,” Ramsdell stated.
She also expressed condolences to Sangrait’s family and friends, who had spent months searching for answers before her remains were found.
The investigation has involved multiple agencies, including the FBI, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paige Petersen and Benjamin Schroeder.
Chappelle is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service as he awaits trial. A trial date has not yet been set.