United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Chamberlain, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Larceny.

James Short Bear, age 19, was indicted on February 11, 2015. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on March 2, 2015, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to five 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 between February 11, 2014, and February 13, 2014, Short Bear stole a ceremonial pipe known as a Chanupa, which was the property of another. The charge is merely an accusation and Short Bear is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lower Brule agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.

Short Bear was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.