Red Lake man to serve 12 years in prison for 2019 murder

(Bemidji, MN) -- A Ponemah man has been sentenced to 144 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for the murder of a woman on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in 2019.

According to court documents, 24-year-old William Jones IV and the victim were involved in a romantic relationship and lived together at the victim’s house in Ponemah. During the evening of November 6th, Jones repeatedly assaulted the victim in their residence, hitting her on the shoulders, arms, and torso, and throwing her against a wall.

During the assault, the victim’s head was struck, and she suffered a brain injury. Jones did not contact emergency personnel or attempt to render aid to the victim despite her obvious injuries. She remained in the house unconscious for almost two days until Jones's mother contacted emergency personnel after arriving at the house and observing her condition.

The victim was transported to Sanford Hospital in Fargo, where she would die 14 days later due to the injuries sustained.

Jones pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder on October 21st, 2021. He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel, who made the ruling on Jones Monday.