United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and First Degree Burglary.
Jalen Walking Eagle, age 21, was indicted on April 18, 2017. Walking Eagle appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on April 21, 2017, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 25 years’ custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The charges relate to Walking Eagle unlawfully entering an occupied structure on Feb. 12, 2017, and assaulting a male with shod feet. This assault resulted in serious bodily injury to the other male. Walking Eagle then stole personal property items before leaving the scene.
The charges are merely accusations and Walking Eagle is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen is prosecuting the case.
Walking Eagle was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has been set for June 27, 2017.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
