07-02-2025
Spirit Lake man sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for fatally stabbing man over $40
Feb. 6—NORTH DAKOTA — A Spirit Lake man was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison Thursday, Feb. 6, for stabbing a man to death after confronting him over $40.
"This crime was both extremely violent and totally pointless," U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider said in a news release.
"While there is no undoing the tragic loss of life that occurred, we hope this sentence provides a measure of justice and reassures the community that violent criminals will be pursued, prosecuted, and sent to federal prison for their crimes. Our career prosecutors and partners at the FBI deserve credit for their successful efforts on this case and their dedication to public safety in Indian country."
Austin Cody Littlewind Jr., 22, previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, according to a news release from the District of North Dakota U.S. Attorney's Office.
He stabbed another man to death in November 2023 in Fort Totten.
Littlewind will be on supervised release for five years once he completes his prison term, and will be required to abide by a number of conditions, the release said. Part of his sentencing included an order to pay restitution for his victim's funeral and related expenses.
"Senseless acts of violence have no place in our communities," Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr., of FBI Minneapolis, said in the release.
