United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, man and a Rosebud, South Dakota, woman have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Kidnapping.
Benjamin Young, age 35, and Stefanie Long, age 27, were indicted on Dec. 13, 2016. Both have appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on or about Sept. 10, 2016, Young and Long kidnapped and held a woman near St. Francis, for the purpose of assaulting her.
The charge is merely an accusation and Young and Long are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
Long was released on bond, and Young was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has been scheduled for March 7, 2017.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
