United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Bismarck, North Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Obstruction of Justice and False Statements.
Sherrae Two Hearts, a/k/a Sherrae Twohearts, age 38, was indicted on February 15, 2017. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on March 8, 2017, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on June 28, 2016, Two Hearts knowingly intimidated, corruptly persuaded, and engaged in misleading conduct toward her juvenile son, and attempted to do so by instructing him to falsely report to law enforcement authorities acts of child abuse and neglect. The Indictment also alleges that Two Hearts knowingly and willfully made a materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement and representation and told agents with the Bureau of Indian Affairs that her children were being abused and neglected when she knew these statements were not true.
The charges are merely accusations and Two Hearts is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.
Two Hearts was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.