United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Kidnapping, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Assault by Strangulation and Suffocation.
Tommy Blue Bird, age 27, was indicted on May 24, 2016. Blue Bird appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on June 3, 2016, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is life imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The charges relate to Blue Bird holding a female against her will and assaulting her at Pine Ridge. The charges are merely an accusation and Blue Bird is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Justice Services and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson is prosecuting the case.
Blue Bird was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.