United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that two McLaughlin, South Dakota, men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.

Ronald Brown Otter, age 24, and Kenton Walks, age 20, were indicted on November 13, 2014. They both appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on November 25, 2014, and both pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about December 1, 2012, Brown Otter and Walks unlawfully assaulted an adult male victim with a wooden board and a knife, with intent to do bodily harm to the victim, and they aided and abetted one another in the commission of said offense.

The charge is merely an accusation and Brown Otter and Walks are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.

Brown Otter and Walks were released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.