Man Sentenced to 57 Months in Jail for Mailing Threatening Communications

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a man charged with mailing threatening communications was sentenced on November 30, 2009, by Chief U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier. Lyle Brave Heart, age 58, of Porcupine, was sentenced to 57 months' imprisonment, three years' supervised release, and ordered to pay $100 to the Victim Assistance Fund. Brave Heart was originally indicted for mailing threatening communications to a woman living on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. He pleaded guilty to the charge on September 2, 2009, admitting to mailing a letter which explicitly threatened to inflict physical harm by beating and killing the victim. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg S. Peterman prosecuted the case. Brave Heart was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshal.