United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Kyle, South Dakota, man was indicted by a federal grand jury for assaulting an Oglala Sioux Tribe police officer.
Richard Red Owl, age 46, was indicted on July 23, 2013, for Assaulting a Federal Officer. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on Aug. 12, 2013, and pled not guilty to the indictment. Red Owl allegedly swung a tree branch at the officer, and then threw a knife at him.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years’ imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation and Red Owl is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case.
Red Owl was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A trial date has not been set.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
