United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Jody Albert Hunt, age 35, of Eagle Butte, South Dakota appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on June 4, 2013 and pled guilty to Possession and Sale of a Stolen Firearm and Tampering with a Witness.
The maximum penalty upon conviction for Possession and Sale of a Stolen Firearm is 10 years of custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; 3 years of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. The maximum penalty upon conviction for Tampering with a Witness is 20 years of custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; 3 years of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. The Court could also order restitution to the victim.
The convictions arose from an incident that occurred on March 25, 2013 when Hunt stole firearms and other property from a ranch near Eagle Butte. Hunt then attempted to have a witness submit false information to federal authorities about the stolen property.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikal Hanson.
A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for Aug. 26, 2013. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
