Men accused of burning down nearly 100-year-old church

Three Dewey County men have been federally charged with arson and burglary, accused of burning down a nearly 100-year-old historic church.

Cody Yellow, 27, Robert Grindstone, 28, and Ake Kyle Eagle Hunter, 28, are charged with third-degree burglary and arson. Each faces 30 years in federal prison if convicted.

According to court records:

Eagle Hunter told authorities he picked up Yellow and Grindstone in Eagle Butte then drove to the church on July 19. He said he went to the church to visit a friend’s grave.

Eagle Hunter said he was walking from the cemetery towards the front of the church when he heard a crash. He said he walked back to the front of the church a saw Yellow going into the church and knocking things over.

Grindstone, then, came in with some diesel fuel and started dumping it everywhere. Then, Yellow leaned down and lit the fuel, starting the fire.

Two days, later authorities spoke with Grindstone about the church fire following his arrest for public intoxication.

Grindstone denied pouring diesel in the church. He said Eagle Hunter and Yellow were the ones that started the fire.

Yellow was later interviewed by authorities and profusely denied being at the church, let alone burning it down.

Jay Vogt, director of the state historical society, said the loss of any historic landmark is devastating for a community. How St. Basil’s Church was lost made it that much more disheartening.

“The tragedy that this one undertook makes it even sadder,” Vodt said.

Eagle Hunter’s lawyer declined to comment. Calls to Yellow and Grindstone’s lawyer weren’t immediately returned.

The St. Basil’s Church was built in 1917. Its six miles west of Ridgeview in Dewey County. Although the church doesn’t maintain regular services; wedding, funeral and an annual Memorial Day Mass still takes place.

Chris Nelson, state historic preservation specialist, said although the church wasn’t listed on the national historic landmark list, a marker was placed outside because it was considered a local historic landmark.

“I know it’s a big loss for the people up there,” Nelson said. “My understanding is that it’s pretty much gone. There is no way to reconstruct that history again.”