A special unit that started as a cold case Task Force recently helped secure an indictment of a murder against an active airman accused of killing a missing Indian woman.
Quinterius Chappelle, 24, a journey of an airplane inspection stationed at Ellsworth Air force Base in South Dakota, was charged on Thursday by a federal large jury for the alleged Murder of the 21-year-old Sahela “Shy” Toka Win Sangrait, who told friends and family that Fox News Digital was his girlfriend of about a year.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Missing and murdered unit (MMU) became involved in the case on 10 March, when a state laboratory confirmed a DNA monster from the body that Sangrait was in charge, a registered tribal member of the Cheyenne River Sioux -Stam.
“At that time our criminal researchers were informed and were brought online,” Robert Schoeberl, MMU Regional Agent, told Fox News Digital in an interview Friday.
Sahela “Shy” Sangrait was reportedly killed in August 2024. (Cassidy Wimble)
Active-Duty US Airman accused of killing missing woman on the military base
The unit originated as a cold case Task Force, part of Operation “Lady Justice”, an initiative with several authorities established by the Trump government in 2019 to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system and, according to Schoeberl, to tackle the stunning number of missing and murdered Indians in tribale communities.
In February, the BIA announced that the Office of Justice Services was launched “Operation Spirit Return“In combination with MMU.
Murder was one of the three most common causes of death in the American Indian and Alaska -Ieem women aged 15 to 24, according to 2019, according to data from the National Congress of American Indians. More than four in five indigenous women experience sexual violence in their lives.
The non -invisible act was also adopted by the congress during the first term of Trump in 2020, aimed at addressing the unbridled number of missing persons and murder and trade in the indigenous peoples of the Indian and Alaska.
Sahela Sangrait was a compassionate person with a ‘forgiving heart’, says her sister. (Cassidy Wimble)
“President Trump Is the President of Rights and Order, and he is always trying to give justice for victims of violent crime, “wrote the deputy secretary of the White House, Anna Kelly, in a statement to Fox News Digital.
According to an edited indictment, Chappelle, an Airman Basic who has been employed since 2019, is said to have been “illegal and with premeditation and with Malice in front” Sangrait killed on Ellsworth Air Force Base on or around 11 August 2024.
The Sheriff’s Office of Pennington County said Sangrait, from Box Elder, was reported missing August 10, only a day before when the authorities claim that she was murdered.
Isabela Arroyo, the sister of Sangrait, told Fox News Digital Chappelle to insult to Sangrait, who had a one -way flying ticket to go into Arroyo and her husband in Colorado on September 6.
Authorities stipulated that the alleged murder took place at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. (Ellsworth Air Force Base)
Sangrait told Chappelle that she would go to Colorado before the birth of Arroyo’s son September 27, said her sister. However, it is unclear whether Chappelle found out of her plan to stay in Colorado.
“She never got on the plane,” said Arroyo. “It was really difficult. I had assumed that she had just chosen not to come anymore, and unfortunately that was not the case.”
The body of Sangrait, thrown away in a wooded area near the Line Pennington and Custer County, was discovered by a walker on March 4, about seven months after her disappearance.
The Sheriff office said that the body was “badly bare” and that “no identifying information was available”.
The cause of death has not yet been released.
Chilling Google Searches lead the police to arrest active navy in alleged murder of escort
Quinterius Chappelle, 24, is accused of murder in the first degree.
Tayagonique McGloghlon, who met Sangrait in 2021 while he participated in a program for young adults who recently grew older from foster care, told Fox News Digital that the potential nurse would call her every week, but, similar to Arroyo, the last she heard from Sangrait was August 10.
“The last message I received from her was on August 10 and she asked me if I was in order,” said McGloghlon. “The day before, I called her about three times. The third time I called, it went straight to Voicemail – as her phone was eliminated for me, which I really found weird. … It dropped me off in a strange way.”
McGloghlon said she was trying to send Sangrait messages on social media, thinking that she might have been blocked.
“I had something like:” That is not like she, especially if she has always kept in touch with me, “she said.
McGloghlon, who met Chappelle while he was dating one of her friends prior to Sangrait, said that she always liked him “a little weird” and “never liked him”, but Sangrait only told her good things.
Tayagonique McGloghlon, left, told Fox News Digital Zij and Sahela Sangrait would walk together every day and share a pot of pickles at least once a week. (Tayagonique McGloghlon)
“I was devastated (when her remains were found),” said McGloghlon. “To be honest, I have never been so deeply sad. She is the light in this world. She didn’t deserve that. … She was very spicy and such a good friend. She was a friendly soul, just beautiful. I miss her so bad. She was one of my best friends.”
Cassidy Wimble, another of the friends of Sangrait, told Fox News Digital that she still had to meet Chappelle personally, but he was one of the first people she reached after the disappearance.
“He told me:” I know nothing. I wish we could (could) her, “Wimble said.” He said the same to a few people. “
MMU researchers work together with the federal National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS) Database and Othram, a company in Texas that specializes in forensic genetic genealogy, to identify human remains.
“It is more advanced forensic tests that will go through much evidence from this case,” said Schoeberl. “(Othram) test family members, who in fact identify you through the DNA of your family members. It has been very beneficial in solving and helping to solve cases recently.”
Family of murder Fort Hood Soldier Vanessa Guillen file $ 35 million lawsuit against army
The Bureau of Indian Affairs and FBI helped with the case. (Bureau or Indian Affairs)
As part of the Sangrait research, the unit has also interviewed witnesses, carried out searches and informed one of the family of death.
The MMUs Victim Services Program continues to offer the family daily updates as the research continues and the unit remains in close contact With the FBI And other agencies that help with the business.
American lawyer for the South Dakota Alison J. Ramsdell district said that public prosecutors will “ruthless”.
“The office of the American lawyers for the South Dakota district will now continue with the prosecution of this tragic case and took ruthless justice on behalf of the victim,” Ramsdell wrote in a statement to FOX News Digital.
Wife convicted of killing the man of the army Soldier at home on the military base
Arroyo said it helps to know that her sister will get justice and Chappelle is now in custody, unable to harm someone else.
“It’s exactly how long he could walk around as if nothing happened,” Arroyo said. “He has already denied that he knows my sister. When they initially arrested him, he didn’t say a word. He didn’t even ask why he was arrested.”
Chappelle is held by the US Marshals service in the prison of Pennington County in Rapid City, South Dakota.
FOX News Digital obtained an order of planning and case management signed by the American district judge Camela C. Tea tea and noted that a jury jurisdiction was established before 27 May.
Authorities claim that Sahela Sangrait was killed on Ellsworth Air Force Base. (Ellsworth Air Force Base)
Lawyer Gina Ruggieri, who has submitted a notification stating that she would represent Chappelle instead of his earlier public defender, did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Fort Ellsworth said it works closely with law enforcement agencies in the area.
“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Sahela,” Colonel Derek Oakley, 28th bomb wing commander, told Fox News Digital when Chappelle was initially accused of second -degree murder in a federal criminal complaint. “We hold airmen responsible for their actions, and if service members are found in violation of military or civil law, they will be punished.”
After the indictment, Fort Ellsworth, in response to a request for comment, Fox News Digital to the office of the American lawyers of South Dakota, referred to the Jurisdiction change.
Sahela Sangrait was found dead in March after disappeared in 2024. (Facebook/Bernice White Swan)
Wimble, who said she spoke with Sangrait every day, described her as one of the strongest people she knew.
“She was one of the most resilient people I knew,” said Wimble. “You could take her down, and just like bowling pins, she would get up every time … She was very strong, and she knew herself more than anyone. She was the friendliest person I knew. Especially with all the things she experienced. … She is everything for me. She really deserved a life.”
Click here to get the Fox News app
The Air Force office and the office of Pennington County refused the requests of FOX News Digital for comment.
The FBI and US Air Force Office of Special Investigations did not immediately respond to questions from FOX News Digital.
