Lower Brule Man Sentenced for Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding a Federal Officer

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota man convicted of assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer was sentenced on April 14, 2014, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Dru Peterson, age 26, was sentenced to eight months of custody, two years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Peterson was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 14, 2013. He pled guilty on January 22, 2014.

The conviction stems from an incident on September 3, 2013, when officers were dispatched to Peterson’s home because of an active tribal warrant. Peterson answered the door, saw the officers, and attempted to shut the door and flee. The officers caught up with Peterson, and a physical struggle ensued between him and the officers, with Peterson actively trying to escape. At one point, Peterson put his hand in his front pocket, gripping an unknown object. He ultimately took a syringe out of his pocket. The officers directed him to drop it, but he continued to refuse, and there was another physical struggle, until the officers were finally able to place him in handcuffs. As the result of the struggles, the officers received scrapes and abrasions, but none were seriously injured

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Peterson was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.