United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Elmer LaRoche, age 26, of Lower Brule, South Dakota appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on March 6, 2013 and pled guilty to the Superseding Information that charged him with Assaulting, Resisting and Impeding a Federal Officer. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 8 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both; 3 years of supervised release; an additional 2 years of supervised release upon revocation; and $100 to the Victim Assistance Fund. Restitution may be imposed.
The charge stems from an incident on or about the 1st day of November, 2012, wherein LaRoche assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, intimidated and interfered with an officer while the officer was engaged in the performance of his official duties and was employed as a federal law enforcement officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. An intoxicated LaRoche was at a home in Lower Brule, and refused to leave the house where a tribal court order had been posted regarding no intoxicated persons were to enter the house. During his arrest, LaRoche resisted and struggled with the officer causing physical contact. LaRoche struck the officer in the head.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case. LaRoche was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing. A sentencing date has been set for May 29, 2013.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
