United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Tampering with a Witness and Retaliation Against a Witness.
Whitney Bagola, age 26, was indicted on December 8, 2020. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on Dec. 23, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on April 20, 2020, in South Dakota, Bagola physically assaulted a potential witness, by punching and kicking, in order to intimidate and retaliate against the potential witness.
The charges are merely accusations and Bagola is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Bagola 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
