A South Florida federal judge sentenced Sutanga Rex Cypress, 43, a member of the Miccosukee Tribe, to nearly 17 years in federal prison for shooting and seriously injuring an unarmed man on the reservation.
During a heated argument, Cypress pulled out a Sig Sauer firearm and threatened the victim, who was also a Miccosukee tribal member. Cypress then fired, striking the victim in the abdomen. The victim was airlifted to a hospital and survived but suffered permanent injuries.
In September, Cypress pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
United States District Judge Jacqueline Becerra sentenced Cypress to 16 years and 8 months in prison, a $50,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. A hearing on May 6 will determine the restitution amount Cypress must pay to the victim.
The case was investigated by the FBI Miami Safe Trails Task Force and the Miccosukee Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Latoya Brown and Vanessa Bonhomme are prosecuting the case.
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