Lower Brule Man Sentenced for Assault

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota man convicted of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, was sentenced on March 25, 2013 by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Earl LaRoche, age 54, was sentenced to five months of imprisonment. LaRoche is also to pay a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund.

LaRoche was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 8, 2012, and pled guilty to count two of the indictment on January 7, 2013. The charge stems from an incident occurring in October 2011 in which the victim and LaRoche were in a relationship and cohabitating together at a residence in Lower Brule. On the evening of October 8, 2011 and into the morning hours of October 9, 2011, they hosted a gathering of friends where alcohol was consumed. The victim was playing table top soccer with others at the gathering when LaRoche came up behind her and bit off a third of her ear.

The victim was taken to the hospital in Chamberlain, where it took 25 sutures to re-attach the piece of the ear.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

LaRoche is to self-report by Tuesday, April 2, 2013.