United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Isiah Mesteth, age 22, of Eagle Butte, South Dakota appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on February 5, 2013 and pled guilty to Count III of the Indictment that charged him with Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both; 3 years of supervised release and an additional 2 years of supervised release upon revocation.
The charge stems from an incident on October 4, 2011 where Mesteth and his significant other argued. Mesteth hit his significant other in the face and head several times, causing her nose and lips to bleed, as well as bruising and swelling to her face and arms resulting in extreme physical pain and serious bodily injury.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich is prosecuting the case. Mesteth was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing. A sentencing date has been set for April 29, 2013.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
