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.
James Robert Dowty, age 27, was indicted on November 16, 2016. Dowty appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on November 22, 2016, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody 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 Dowty killing a young female on July 20, 2016, at Pine Ridge by shooting her with a gun.
The charges are merely accusations and Dowty is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case.
Dowty was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.