McLaughlin Man Sentenced on Assault Charge

PIERRE, SD—U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a McLaughlin man charged with assault with a dangerous weapon was sentenced on February 28, 2011, in Aberdeen by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann. Matthew D. Hawk Bear, age 24, was sentenced to 33 months in custody and three years of supervised release.

Hawk Bear was indicted for assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury by a federal grand jury in June 2009. The charge stems from the assault of several McLaughlin residents with a motor vehicle in December 2007. Hawk Bear pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in November 2010.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman prosecuted the case.

Hawk Bear was allowed to self report to the custody of the U.S. Marshal on March 22, 2011.