United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Involuntary Manslaughter and Influencing a Federal Officer by Threat.
Steven Burning Breast, age 24, was indicted on Nov. 13, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on Jan. 31, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on April 22, 2019, in Todd County, South Dakota, Burning Breast killed two individuals by operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner. The Indictment further alleges that on Oct. 16, 2019, Burning Breast threatened to murder a law enforcement officer who was employed by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.
The charges are merely accusations and Burning Breast is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bennett County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
Burning Breast was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
