United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Little Eagle, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Child Abuse and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.
Chavez Spotted Horse, age 40, was indicted on Jan. 19, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on Jan. 27, 2017, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 60 years in custody and/or a fine of up to $1,500,000, 3 years of supervised release, and $600 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between Nov. 27, 2016, and Nov. 30, 2016, Spotted Horse hit a juvenile victim on three separate occasions with a kitchen spoon, a rod, and a plastic hanger.
The charges are merely accusations and Spotted Horse 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.
Spotted Horse 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
