United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Fort Yates, North Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Robbery, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault of an Intimate Partner by Strangulation, and Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner.
Alton Wood, age 33, was indicted on Nov. 13, 2014. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on Nov. 24, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 15 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $400 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on or about Aug. 14, 2014, Wood took an undetermined amount of money from his intimate partner, assaulted her with a screwdriver which resulted in substantial bodily injury, and strangled and suffocated her.
The charges are merely accusations and Wood is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.
Wood was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
