Oglala Woman Pleads Not Guilty to Making a False Statement to Law Officials

Acting U.S. Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for making a false statement to law officials. Vanna Chief Eagle aka Vanna Fast Wolf, age 19, of Oglala, was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 25, 2009, for false statement. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on September 3, 2009, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is five years' imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation and Chief Eagle is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The investigation is being conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case. Chief Eagle was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not yet been set.