St. Francis Man Arraigned on Charges of Involuntary Manslaughter and Child Abuse

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for involuntary manslaughter and child abuse.

Dino Dean Kane, age 22, was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 22, 2012. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 23, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years’ in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The charges are merely accusations, and Kane 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. Assistant United States Attorney Tim Maher is prosecuting the case.

Kane was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

St. Francis Woman Pleads Guilty to Concealing Person from Arrest

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Jamie Iron Shell, age 26, of St. Francis, South Dakota, appeared before United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange on August 20, 2012, and pled guilty to concealing person from arrest. The maximum penalty upon conviction is one year in custody, a $100,000 fine, or both.

The conviction stems from an incident that took place on March 30, 2012, when federal agents arrived at Iron Shell’s residence to serve an arrest warrant on an individual. Iron Shell told the agents that individual had departed her residence when in fact he was actually inside her residence.

The investigation was 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.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for November 6, 2012. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.

Winner Man Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Taylor White Buffalo, age 19, of Winner, South Dakota, appeared before United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange on August 14, 2012, and pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both.

On April 13, 2012, White Buffalo was intoxicated and upset and encountered the victim. White Buffalo struck, beat, and kicked the victim causing the victim to suffer blunt force trauma to the head and body. The victim died from his injuries.

The investigation was 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. A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for November 13, 2012. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.

Norris Man Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, Child Abuse, and Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol with a Minor Present in the Motor Vehicle

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Norris, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for involuntary manslaughter, child abuse, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol with a minor present in the motor vehicle.

Mark Clairmont, age 38, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 12, 2012. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 19, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years’ custody, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The charges are merely accusations, and Clairmont 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 Marie H. Ruettgers. Clairmont was released on bond pending trial.

Mission Man Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Lawrence Anthony Whipple, age 54, of Mission, South Dakota, appeared before United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange on June 20, 2012, and pled guilty to second-degree murder. The maximum penalty upon conviction is life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The conviction stems from an incident that took place on February 7, 2012, when Whipple stabbed the victim with a knife. The victim died as a result of her injuries.

The investigation was 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.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for September 10, 2012. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.

St. Francis Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Anthony Little Hoop, Jr., age 22, of St. Francis, South Dakota, appeared before United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange on June 18, 2012 and pled guilty to sexual abuse. The maximum penalty upon conviction is life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both; supervised release for life; and a special assessment of $100 to the Victim Assistance Fund.

The conviction stems from an incident that took place on August 14, 2010, when Little Hoop had sexual contact with the victim while the victim was unconscious.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marie H. Ruettgers.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for September 4, 2012. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.