United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault on a Federal Officer.
Joseph John Winters, age 44, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 8 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The charge relates to Winters striking an officer in the face with a closed fist on March 3, 2019, at Pine Ridge.
The charge is merely an accusation and Winters is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs - Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassandra DeCoste is prosecuting the case.
Winters was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has been set for October 8, 2019.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
