Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 21, 2020, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against a man allegedly involved in an assault that resulted in injury to a tribal police officer. The indictment named Martin W. Penass a/k/a “Ap Hawpetoss" (age: 38) of Neopit, which is on the Menominee Indian Reservation.
The indictment charged Penass with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 113(a)(3). If convicted, Penass faces a maximum of ten years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.
According to the indictment, on or about June 26, 2020, officers with the Menominee Tribal Police Department were investigating an incident involving Penass when Penass assaulted one of the officers with a knife, causing the officer to suffer cuts on his arm.
The Menominee Tribal Police Department investigated the case, which Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier will prosecute.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
