Gregory J. Haanstad, U.S. Attorney, announced that on January 4, 2017, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against a man involved in habitual domestic violence offenses on the Menominee Indian Reservation. The indictment named Jeffrey Matchopatow (age: 22) of Keshena. Count One of the indictment charged Matchopatow with Domestic Assault by a Habitual Offender in violation of 18 United States Code, Section 117. Count Two of the indictment charged Matchopatow with Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in violation of 18 United States Code, Section 113. On each count Matchopatow faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
According to the indictment, on Sept. 11, 2016, the defendant assaulted a person with whom he lived, resulting in a facial laceration requiring sutures and a fractured jaw. Prior to Sept. 11, 2016, Matchopatow had been convicted in Menominee Tribal Court of at least two cases involving domestic violence, which according to the indictment makes him a habitual offender under federal law.
The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
