United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Valentine, Nebraska, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on December 12, 2016, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Chelsey Sherri Little, a/k/a Chelsey Long Crow, age 22, was sentenced to 51 months in custody, 3 years of supervised release, a $500 fine, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Little was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 15, 2016.  She pled guilty on September 27, 2016.

Between January of 2015 and March of 2016, Little and others conspired and agreed to knowingly and intentionally distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance, in South Dakota.  Little received distributable quantities of methamphetamine from individuals who knew that she intended to engage in further distribution of the drug.  Little also provided methamphetamine to others knowing that they intended to engage in further distribution of the methamphetamine within the District of South Dakota.  It was reasonably foreseeable to Little that at least 350 grams of methamphetamine would be distributed during the course of the conspiracy.

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney SaraBeth Donovan prosecuted the case.

Little was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on December 19, 2016, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Robert Earlwin Lofton, Jr., a/k/a Robert Erwin Lofton, Jr., a/k/a Blue Lofton, age 35, was sentenced to 78 months in custody, 5 years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and forfeiture of $250 in United States currency, two firearms and ammunition seized by law enforcement.

Lofton was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 13, 2016.  He pled guilty on September 27, 2016.

Between March of 2014 and April of 2016, Lofton and others conspired and agreed to knowingly and intentionally distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance, in South Dakota.  Lofton received distributable quantities of methamphetamine from individuals who knew that he intended to engage in further distribution of the methamphetamine.  Lofton also provided methamphetamine to others knowing that they intended to engage in further distribution of the methamphetamine within the District of South Dakota.  Lofton agreed that at least 350 grams of methamphetamine was distributed during the course of the conspiracy.

On October 20, 2014, Lofton was arrested at the Cheyenne River Motel in Eagle Butte, with marijuana, drug paraphernalia, $250, and a pistol firearm and ammunition in his possession.  On April 21, 2016, Lofton was arrested on the federal charges, at his residence in Eagle Butte.  During the execution of a search warrant, law enforcement found methamphetamine in the residence, as well as a pistol firearm and ammunition in a vehicle parked in the driveway.  All of the above items were seized by law enforcement. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney SaraBeth Donovan prosecuted the case.

Lofton was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on December 20, 2016, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Norman Lee Ritter, age 49, was sentenced to 108 months in custody, 4 years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, a mandatory special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100, and the forfeiture of firearms, ammunition, and $1,203 in U.S. currency seized by law enforcement on September 17, 2015.

Ritter was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 15, 2016.  He pled guilty on October 4, 2016.

Between February of 2015, and March of 2016, Ritter conspired and agreed with other individuals to knowingly and intentionally distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance, in South Dakota.  The conspiracy involved the distribution of between 1.5 and 5 kilograms of methamphetamine.  Ritter received distributable quantities of methamphetamine from individuals who knew that he intended to engage in further distribution.  Ritter then distributed that methamphetamine.  

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney SaraBeth Donovan prosecuted the case.

Ritter was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Mission, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on December 19, 2016, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Sarah Jean Roblez, age 27, was sentenced to 46 months in custody, 3 years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Roblez was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 15, 2016.  She pled guilty on September 27, 2016.

Between January of 2015 and March of 2016, Roblez and others conspired and agreed to knowingly and intentionally distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance, in South Dakota.  Roblez received distributable quantities of methamphetamine from other individuals who knew that she intended to engage in further distribution of the drug in South Dakota.  Further, Roblez provided methamphetamine to others knowing that they intended to engage in further distribution of the methamphetamine within South Dakota.  It was reasonably foreseeable to Roblez that at least 350 grams of methamphetamine would be distributed during the course of the conspiracy. 

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney SaraBeth Donovan prosecuted the case.

Roblez was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that an investigation is underway after an officer-involved shooting on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

On Tuesday evening, December 27, 2016, an officer with the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety was on patrol in Kyle, South Dakota, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation when he had contact with a male individual.  The officer had a brief conversation with the man when, at some point during the encounter, the man drew a firearm on the officer.  In turn, the officer drew his own firearm and fired at least three rounds, hitting the individual and resulting in his death. 

Other officers arrived on scene to find the first officer rendering aid to the male individual.  It was subsequently determined the male was in possession of two 9-millimeter caliber firearms, a quantity of methamphetamine, and 200-300 rounds of ammunition. 

Following Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety protocol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was immediately notified.  FBI agents responded and began an investigation into the facts and circumstances of the shooting.  That investigation is ongoing and an autopsy of the victim is scheduled to occur soon. 

This matter remains under investigation by the FBI.  Pending the results of the investigation, the officer has been placed on paid administrative departmental leave. 

Contact: Chris Ruge 
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine:  United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Zane Wetzel, 31, of Easton, Maine, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to possessing child pornography.

According to court records, on about May 14, 2015, Wetzel possessed image and video files depicting child pornography.  Some of these files, which he had purposely sought out and downloaded from the internet, depicted the sexual exploitation of prepubescent children under the age of 12.

Wetzel faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and between five years and a lifetime of supervised release.  He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations.

Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine:  United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Hayri Berberoglu, 31, of Bangor, Maine pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Bangor to conspiring to violate federal firearms laws. 

According to court documents, between approximately February 7, 2012 and October 12, 2012, Bergerlogu was employed at a Brewer, Maine pawn shop which was licensed to sell firearms. During that time, Berberlogu knowingly facilitated multiple straw purchases of firearms by selling them to people who falsely claimed to be the actual buyers of the firearms.  In fact, as Berberlogu knew or had reasonable cause to know, all of those people were buying the firearms on behalf of non-Maine residents who were prohibited under federal law from purchasing firearms.  To accomplish these straw purchases, Berberlogu participated in the falsification of documents that are required to be submitted to the federal government in connection with the sale of firearms.

The conspiracy count carries a maximum prison sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and up to three years supervised release.  Berberlogu will be sentenced after a presentence report is prepared by the United States Probation Office.

The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Maine Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New Haven, Connecticut Office of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance provided by the Brewer, Maine Police Department.

Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine:  United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that D’Hati Coleman, 38, of New Haven, Connecticut was sentenced today by United States District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. in Federal Court in Bangor to a 32-month term of imprisonment and a three-year term of supervised release for distributing crack cocaine.   

Court records and evidence introduced at the hearing demonstrated that on September 3, 2014, Coleman sold crack cocaine to an MDEA confidential informant.  At the time of the transaction, Coleman was a fugitive from Connecticut, having escaped from a half-way house in that state.  Evidence presented at the hearing also showed that during the time when Coleman was trafficking in drugs, he was also engaged in commercial sex trafficking by causing women to engage in prostitution for which Coleman received money.  In sentencing the defendant, U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. told Coleman “it is bad enough to be selling drugs, but it is a different magnitude of evil to be involved in selling human beings.”

The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the New Haven, Connecticut Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Haven Department of Police Services.

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA– The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that LUIS CRUIZ RODRIGUEZ, age 18, of Haskell, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 20 months, and 3 years supervised release for STEALING FIREARMS FROM A FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSED DEALER, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(m) and 2.

The Indictment alleged that on or about May 12, 2016, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly steal firearms from Richy’s Gun & Pawn, located in Checotah, Oklahoma, a federal licensed firearms dealer.

The charge arose from an investigation by the Okmulgee Police Department, the Checotah Police Department, the Okmulgee Sherriff’s Office, the Okmulgee District Attorney’s Office, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The Honorable Judge Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. The defendant will remain in the custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which, the nonparoleable sentence will be served.

Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States.

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA– The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that TIMOTHY RAY CANNON, age 39, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment and 5 years supervised release for FAILURE TO REGISTER AS SEX OFFENDER, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2250(a)(1), 2250(a)(2)(B) and 2250(a)(3).

The Indictment alleged that from in or about September, 2014, the exact date being unknown to the Grand Jury, until on or about April 13, 2016, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, and elsewhere, the defendant, an individual required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, after having received felony convictions from the State of California, in Kerns County, on or about July 20, 2000, for Sex with a Minor, and on or about December 10, 2010, for the offense of Sexual Battery: Touch for Sexual Arousal, traveled in interstate commerce and knowingly failed to register and update his registration as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

The charge arose from an investigation by the Muskogee Police Department and the United States Marshals Service.

The Honorable Judge Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. The defendant will remain in the custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which, the nonparoleable sentence will be served.

Assistant United States Attorney Edward Snow represented the United States.

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y.- Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Kenya Brown, 41, of Rochester, New York, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack” cocaine), and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, was sentenced to 20 years and 8 months in prison and 5 years supervised release and ordered to pay a fine of $5,000 by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.    He was further required to forfeit any interest in $303,355.00 in drug trafficking proceeds, along with 12 shotguns, 8 rifles, and 472 rounds of ammunition.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who handled the case, stated that between 2006 and March 2012, Kenya along with his brother, Shawnta Brown, obtained kilogram quantities of cocaine, manufactured cocaine base from cocaine, broke down and packaged smaller quantities of cocaine and cocaine base for resale, distributed cocaine and cocaine base directly to others, operated drug houses where they directed and supervised lower-level members of the conspiracy who sold cocaine and cocaine base to others.  The Brown brothers were arrested March 9, 2012, when officers raided 2294 Clifford Avenue, 138 Strong Street, 29 Aberdeen Street and other locations in Rochester utilized by the brothers in their drug trafficking operation.  At these locations, officers seized more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, a quantity of cocaine base, firearms with ammunition, paraphernalia for the packaging, processing and weighing of narcotics, and receipts for gold and silver bars.  A few days later, officers raided a residence in the Town of Red Creek, Cayuga County, seizing more firearms, dozens of rounds of ammunition, $303,355 in U.S. currency, and over $23,000 in gold and silver bars and coins.  The investigation continued, and resulted in the arrest of Eric Contreras, 29, the California kilogram supplier on May 15, 2012, in Whittier, California.  On April 9, 2013, Contreras was sentenced upon his conviction in the Western District of New York for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine to 188 months imprisonment.  Shawnta Brown, who was also convicted on conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine and “crack” cocaine was recently sentenced to 12 years in prison.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli and Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration under the direction of Acting Resident Agent-in-Charge, William Reichard, with assistance provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Resident Agent-in-Charge, James Burroughs, and the United States Marshal Service, under the direction of United States Marshal Charles Salina.

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division (“DEA”), George P. Beach II, Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the arrest of EDWIN CABRAL MORA, a/k/a “Sosa.” CABRAL MORA was arrested yesterday in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and was presented today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Georgia and detained on consent.

CABRAL MORA is charged in four counts with conspiring to possess and distribute one kilogram and more of heroin, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and brandishing a firearm in connection with these offenses.  In relation to the kidnapping counts, CABRAL MORA is charged with luring an individual (“Victim-1”) from New York to Georgia, where Victim-1 was transported by car to an apartment in which CABRAL MORA and others blindfolded, bound, beat, and tortured Victim-1 by burning Victim-1’s skin.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “As alleged, Edwin Cabral Mora not only trafficked in large quantities of heroin, but turned to violence, including participating in a vicious kidnapping.  In April of this year, Mora allegedly lured a victim from the Bronx to Georgia, ultimately blindfolding, beating, and torturing the victim.  Thanks to the remarkable efforts of the DEA, this allegedly dangerous man is now off the streets and will face criminal charges in New York federal court.” 

DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt said:   “DEA’s REDRUM Group specializes in tracking down drug traffickers that cross the line into kidnapping, torture and at times, murder.  This investigation took the team on the road to Atlanta to arrest Edwin Cabral Mora for his alleged crimes.”

State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said:  “Thanks to the hard work and partnership of law enforcement at the federal, state and local level, we are taking out a violent drug operation. This arrest should send the message that we will continue to aggressively pursue criminals who profit from illegal drugs at the expense of the safety and security of our neighborhoods.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “The defendant in this case is an alleged drug trafficker who blindfolded, burned, beat and finally tortured a kidnapping victim in a particularly heinous crime.  I am thankful to the NYPD detectives, DEA agents, and others whose work resulted in these charges in the Southern District.”     

As alleged in the Indictment[1]:

Heroin Trafficking

CABRAL MORA conspired with others to distribute substantial quantities of heroin from at least January 2016 through May 2016, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere. 

Kidnapping and Kidnapping Conspiracy

CABRAL MORA conspired with others to kidnap Victim-1, and did kidnap Victim-1 in April 2016.  CABRAL MORA called Victim-1 by phone, when Victim-1 was in the Bronx, New York, to lure Victim-1 to Georgia.  Once in Georgia, Victim-1 was transported by car to an apartment in which CABRAL MORA and others blindfolded, bound, beat, and tortured Victim-1 by burning Victim-1’s skin.

Firearms Possession

CABRAL MORA used, possessed, carried, and brandished firearms in relation to his heroin trafficking and kidnapping offenses. 

*                      *                     *

CABRAL MORA, 38, of Gwinnett County, Georgia, is charged with conspiring to possess and distribute one kilogram and more of heroin, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, kidnapping, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, and brandishing a firearm in connection with the foregoing offenses, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA, and also thanked the Georgia State Police, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and Atlanta HIDTA Groups 1 and 2 for their assistance.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sagar K. Ravi and Amanda L. Houle are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Gulfport, Mississippi. – Elza Eugene Harter, 52, of Picayune, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr., to serve 97 months in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis. Harter was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

On June 5, 2014, Harter was found to be in possession of a laptop and hard drive containing 111 images and 206 videos of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct as defined in the federal laws for violations of the sexual exploitation of children. He pled guilty to the charge on September 21, 2016.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones.

Baltimore, Maryland – Melissa Strohman, age 54, of Nottingham, Maryland, is facing federal charges of wire fraud and bank embezzlement, arising from a six-year scheme to steal over $1.8 million from bank customers at the bank where she worked, and use the money for her own benefit. 

The criminal information was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Patti Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge, New York Region, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Office of Inspector General; and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.

According to the criminal information, from April 2010 through July 2016, Strohman was Senior Vice President at a federal savings bank in Maryland, which had branches in Pikesville and Highlandtown. Strohman was responsible for managing the bank’s savings department, including overseeing deposits and Individual Retirement Accounts for every customer.  In addition, as the bank’s Bank Secrecy Officer, Strohman was responsible for filing Currency Transaction Reports and Suspicious Activity Reports for any transactions that were deemed to be suspicious or potentially illegal.

The criminal information alleges that, using her position at the bank, Strohman caused unauthorized transfers and withdrawals of funds from six customers’ bank accounts to pay for mortgages, credit card bills and property tax bills associated with Strohman and her family members.  Three of the six victim customers were at least 80 years old, and for two of the accounts the customers were deceased.

Strohman allegedly used her supervisory override function on the bank’s electronic banking system to facilitate unauthorized transfers between Person One and Person Two’s accounts to accounts associated with Strohman; forged the signature of Person Two in order to complete an unauthorized transaction between Person Two’s bank account to an American Express account associated with Strohman; and caused unauthorized transfers of funds from Person One and Person Two’s accounts into Person Three through Person Five’s accounts to replace the monies Strohman stole from Person Three through Person Five and to conceal those thefts.

Strohman faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for wire fraud, and a maximum of 30 years in prison for bank embezzlement.  No court appearance has been scheduled yet for Strohman in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.

A criminal information is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by information is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FDIC Office of Inspector General and FBI for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip A. Selden and Evan T. Shea, who are prosecuting the case.

PIERRE, S.D - Attorney General Marty Jackley and United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced today that the Division of Criminal Investigation, the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Spearfish Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations have arrested Nicholaus Tripp, 28, Spearfish, South Dakota, on one count of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet (18 USC 2422(b).

Tripp was arrested on a criminal complaint on December 23, 2016, and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on December 27, 2016.  He pled not guilty to the charge.  

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years’ mandatory minimum imprisonment up to life.

The charge relates to Tripp utilizing the internet to attempt to engage in unlawful sexual acts with a minor. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Division of Criminal Investigation, the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, Spearfish Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins is prosecuting the case.

Tripp has been detained pending trial.  A trial date has been set for February 28, 2017.  The charge is merely an accusation and Tripp is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that an Okreek, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse, Sexual Abuse of a Minor, and Child Abuse.

Marcos Lorenzo Bear Shield, age 21, was indicted on December 13, 2016.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on December 21, 2016, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction for Aggravated Sexual Abuse is life in custody and a lifetime of supervised release. The maximum penalty upon conviction for both Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Child Abuse is up to 15 years in custody and 3 years of supervised release. Each offense carries a maximum fine of $250,000 and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on August 4, 2015, Bear Shield knowingly engaged in and attempted to engage in a sexual act with a minor. The Indictment also alleges that on the same date Bear Shield abused, exposed, tortured, tormented, and cruelly punished the minor victim. The victim had attained the age of twelve years, but had not attained the age of sixteen years, and was at least four years younger than Bear Shield. The charges are merely accusations and Bear Shield is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Sanderson is prosecuting the case.   

Bear Shield was temporarily remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Second Degree Murder and Discharge of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence.

Thomas Joseph Brewer, 26, was indicted on December 20, 2016, and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on December 28, 2016.  He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is life imprisonment, and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Brewer shooting a man in the stomach after an argument, killing him. The charges are merely an accusation and Brewer is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson is prosecuting the case.

Brewer was detained pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Darrell Chase In Winter, age 24, was indicted on December 20, 2016.  Chase In Winter appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on December 23, 2016, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, a lifetime of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge relates to Chase In Winter failing to register and update his registration as a convicted sex offender between May 14, 2016, and September 29, 2016.

The charge is merely an accusation and Chase In Winter is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case.

Chase In Winter was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has been set for February 28, 2017.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Distribution of a Controlled Substance.

Ebony Hope Justyne Cook, age 20, was indicted on October 12, 2016.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Moreno on December 13, 2016, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $1,000,000 fine, a lifetime of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on three occasions, July 19, 20, and 22, 2016, in Eagle Butte, Cook knowingly and intentionally distributed methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. 

The charges are merely an accusation and Cook is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney SaraBeth Donovan is prosecuting the case.   

Cook was released on bond pending trial.  Trial is set for February 21, 2017.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Third Degree Burglary.

Joseph Marshall, age 37, was indicted on December 14, 2016.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on December 20, 2016, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on May 18, 2016, Marshall unlawfully broke into the Ranch House Café with the intent to commit the crime of larceny.

The charge is merely an accusation and Marshall is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.   

Marshall was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.