United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Vernon Robert Schmidt, Jr., a/k/a Sonny Bob Schmidt, age 29, of Mission, South Dakota, appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on Nov. 17, 2014, and pled guilty to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The charge stems from a May 26, 2014, incident in Mission, when Schmidt pointed a pistol at the victim during an argument. Schmidt was brandishing the weapon when it discharged and went off. A slug from the weapon hit the victim in the chest and neck area, causing the victim serious bodily injury.
The investigation was conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher.
A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for Feb. 2, 2015.
Schmidt 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
