United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Long Valley, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Kidnapping, Assault on a Federal Officer, and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.
Eric Blue Bird, age 30, was indicted on Jan. 20, 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on Jan. 21, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on Jan. 16, 2022, in Pine Ridge, Blue Bird kidnapped and assault a federal law enforcement officer. The charges are merely an accusation and Blue Bird is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins is prosecuting the case.
Blue Bird was detained pending trial. A trial date has been set for March 29, 2022.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
