South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Assault Charge

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Matthew Hawk Bear, age 25, of McLaughlin, appeared in Aberdeen before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on November 22, 2010, and pled guilty to Count One of the Indictment that charged him with assault with a dangerous weapon. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment.

The charge relates to the assault of a McLaughlin resident with a motor vehicle in December 2007. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for February 28, 2010. The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.