RAPID CITY, S.D. – A Rapid City man who fatally stabbed another man in downtown Rapid City has been sentenced to 40 years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary.

Seventh Circuit Court Judge Matthew Brown sentenced 23-year-old Diontae Eagleman to 40 years in prison for the death of 45-year-old Francis Tobacco. Judge Brown characterized the killing as both “senseless” and “grievous.” The stabbing occurred during the early evening hours of April 1, 2025, on Sixth Street in downtown Rapid City.

During the sentencing hearing, multiple members of Tobacco’s family addressed the Court through victim impact statements, describing him as a protector and expressing the profound loss his death has caused. Family members told the Court that Tobacco “didn’t deserve what happened.”

Eagleman previously pleaded guilty to First-Degree Manslaughter. In exchange for the guilty plea, the State agreed to cap its sentencing recommendation at 40 years.

Assistant Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Olivia Siglin told the Court that the State’s recommendation reflected the seriousness of Eagleman’s actions while also taking into consideration his acceptance of responsibility through his guilty plea and his expressions of remorse following the incident.

Eagleman will be required to serve the 40-year sentence in its entirety.

“Throughout this case, we have never lost sight of the fact that a family lost a loved one,” said Siglin. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of this crime and ensures that Mr. Eagleman is held accountable for taking a life.”

The case was prosecuted on behalf of the State by Assistant Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Olivia Siglin and Deputy State’s Attorney Rebecca Peterson.