Eagle Butte Woman Arraigned on Charges of Child Abuse and False Statements

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that an Eagle Butte woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for child abuse and neglect and making false statements to a federal agency. Alex White Eyes, age 22, was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 14, 2011.

She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on December 20, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years’ imprisonment on the child abuse charge and five years on the false statements charge. The charges are merely accusations, and White Eyes is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Britt M. Haxton is prosecuting the case. White Eyes was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not yet been set.