Agency Village Man Charged with Kidnapping and Assault

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that an Agency Village, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for kidnapping.

Justin Lee Muskrat, age 26, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 5, 2012, for kidnapping and assault with a dangerous weapon. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on August 24, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charges are merely accusations, and Muskrat is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by Sisseton-Wahpeton Law Enforcement and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case. Muskrat was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A trial date has been set for October 30, 2012.