Man Indicted for Assault on Indian Reservation

Christopher Donovan Pelcher, 21, of Mount Pleasant was indicted on May 12, 2010, by a federal grand jury in Bay City, Michigan for assault with intent to commit great bodily harm and assault with a dangerous weapon with the intent to do bodily harm, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today.

McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charg Andrew G. Arena, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The indictment charges that on March 31, 2010, Pelcher along with Gizhep Gimiwon Pego, both members of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, assaulted the victim on the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Reservation in Isabella County, Michigan. During the incident, it is alleged that both Pelcher and Pego knocked the victim to the ground and repeatedly kicked him in the head until the police arrived on the scene. On June 4, 2010, Pelcher was ordered to be held without bond until trial. If convicted as charged, Pelcher faces up to 10 years’ in prison.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police and special agents of the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roy Kranz.