Two Men Charged with Theft of Government Property

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that two men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for theft of government property and theft from an agency receiving federal funds, the South Dakota Army National Guard.

Dennis Mallow, age 46, of Black Hawk, and Damon Bohnet, age 30, of Rapid City, both former federal employees of the South Dakota Army National Guard, were indicted on November 19, 2012, on two separate counts. The first count in the indictment alleges theft of government property, and the second count alleges theft from an agency receiving federal funds. Both counts allegedly occurred between October 1, 2009 and September 7, 2012, and involve the theft of property purchased with funds from the Army National Guard Operations and Maintenance appropriation.

Mallow and Bohnet appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on November 21, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. Each count is punishable by a maximum penalty of 10 years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both. The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and both men are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Wayne Venhuizen. The indictments are a result of an investigation initiated and conducted by the South Dakota Army National Guard in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mallow and Bohnet were released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not yet been set.