After a two-week trial, a Pennington County jury has returned its verdict in connection with the August 20, 2022, double homicide that claimed the lives of 29-year-old Joseph Standing Bear of Norris and 37-year-old Petan Milk of Rapid City.
Montell Olivera, 29, was found guilty of two counts of First-Degree murder and Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder. Dillon Wilson, 22, and Erin Provancial, 45, were each found guilty of 2 counts of Aiding and Abetting First-Degree Murder and Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder. All charges carry a mandatory life sentence in the state penitentiary.
A total of eight individuals were charged in connection with the homicides or events that followed. The remaining charged individuals entered into plea agreements and testified for the State during the trial.
The State alleged that Olivera acted as the shooter, while Wilson and Provancial were involved in the planning and orchestration of the retaliation.
Evidence presented at trial established that the killings were gang-related and carried out in retaliation for the death of 32-year-old Cory Old Horse, who was shot and killed across the street 11 days earlier. Trial testimony and social media evidence indicated that the victims, Standing Bear and Milk, were associated with The Boyz (TBZ), while Old Horse was associated with the Gangster Disciples (GD).
The State argued that the evidence, including testimony from co-participants, demonstrated that Wilson, Provancial, and Olivera planned the killings by arranging for the acquisition of firearms and ammunition, securing a getaway vehicle, and discussing retaliation in various communications prior to the shootings.
On August 20, 2022, the group drove to the Surfwood Apartments. Two of the eight individuals remained in the vehicle, while five, including the alleged shooter, Olivera, entered the building. One of the juveniles, who was known to Standing Bear, approached the apartment door first. Evidence presented at trial indicated she was sent ahead because the group believed Standing Bear would open the door for her.
Once inside, Olivera shot both Standing Bear and Milk multiple times before fleeing the apartment. The group then left the scene in the waiting vehicle. Testimony established that the entire sequence, from entry to exit, lasted just over one minute.
Two individuals who were minors at the time of the offense are proceeding through the juvenile justice system.
This case was prosecuted on behalf of the State by Assistant Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Olivia Siglin and Assistant Attorney General Kevin Krull.
We are deeply grateful for the dedicated work of the investigators and law enforcement officers whose professionalism and collaboration were instrumental in bringing this case to a just conclusion. Those agencies include the Rapid City Police Department, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to the jurors who devoted the past two weeks to carefully hearing the evidence, thoughtfully deliberating, and ultimately reaching a unanimous verdict.
