- Quinterius Chappelle, 24, charged with second-degree murder of 21-year-old Sahela Sangrait
- Victim’s body discovered near Pennington County in March after six-month disappearance
- Joint investigation involves FBI, USAF Office of Special Investigations, and local authorities
- Chappelle served as aircraft inspection journeyman at Ellsworth Air Force Base
- Case highlights jurisdictional challenges in military-linked crimes
An active-duty airman stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base has been arrested in connection with the homicide of Sahela Sangrait, a 21-year-old woman reported missing in August 2024. The case, which spans multiple jurisdictions, underscores the complexities of crimes involving military personnel and civilian victims.
Sangrait’s remains were discovered in early March by a hiker near Hill City, South Dakota, approximately seven months after her disappearance. Forensic experts confirmed her identity following an extensive analysis of the badly decomposed remains. Authorities revealed the murder occurred on base grounds, though specific details about the crime scene remain undisclosed.
The collaborative investigation involved six agencies, including the FBI’s Rapid City field office and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit. This multi-agency approach reflects growing protocols for handling cases that intersect federal property, tribal lands, and local jurisdictions. A 2023 Pentagon report noted a 14% increase in off-base violent crimes involving service members since 2020, prompting tightened collaboration frameworks.
Chappelle, who joined the Air Force in 2019, had no prior public disciplinary record. His role as an aircraft inspection journeyman granted him routine base access, raising questions about security protocols for personnel under investigation. Ellsworth’s 28th Bomb Wing Commander, Col. Derek Oakley, emphasized the Air Force’s zero-tolerance policy, stating, “We hold airmen accountable to both military and civilian law.”
Regional parallels exist with the 2021 Minot Air Force Base case, where an airman received a 25-year sentence for killing a civilian contractor. Unlike that case—which remained within military jurisdiction—Chappelle’s trial will be federally prosecuted, demonstrating evolving strategies for addressing violent crimes tied to service members.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Rapid City FBI office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will lead prosecution, with potential for concurrent military disciplinary proceedings under Article 118 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
