Pine Ridge Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Discharge of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a man charged with discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence was sentenced on July 2, 2010 by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken. Louis Janis, age 29, of Pine Ridge, was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $100 to the Victim Assistance Fund. Janis was indicted for assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence by a federal grand jury on October 20, 2009. Janis pulled a .45 caliber handgun from his pants and held it at his side as he approached a vehicle parked in the Eastridge Housing located in Pine Ridge. When Janis approached the driver of the vehicle, he discharged the firearm, shooting the driver from approximately six to eight feet away. As a result of being shot at such close range, the victim sustained life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized for several weeks. He suffered severe pain and permanent injury as a result. Janis pled guilty to an information on April 13, 2010, for discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case. Janis was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshal.