Mission Man Pleads Not Guilty to First-Degree Murder

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Mission, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for first-degree murder.

Lawrence Anthony Whipple, age 54, was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 14, 2012. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on March 7, 2012 and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is mandatory life in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; five years of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge is merely an accusation, and Whipple is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Maher. Whipple was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal.