McLaughlin Woman Pleads Guilty to Destruction of Evidence
| U.S. Attorney’s Office March 03, 2011 |
PIERRE, SD—U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Shirley White Buffalo, age 63, of McLaughlin, appeared before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on February 28, 2011, and pled guilty to count two of the indictment that charged her with concealing and destroying a document. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years’ imprisonment.
The charge stems from an October incident whereby White Buffalo destroyed a note given to her regarding criminal activity in an ongoing case being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
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 Mikal Hanson.
A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for June 13, 2011. The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.