United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault by Strangulation and Suffocation.
Shane Coleman, age 25, was indicted on Nov. 14, 2013. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on Dec. 10, 2013, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on July 11, 2013, Coleman assaulted his spouse or intimate partner by strangling and suffocating her.
The charge is merely an accusation and Coleman is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.
Coleman was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, which has been set for Feb. 11, 2014.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
