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Press Release

Keshena Man and His Mother Indicted for Armed Assault, Firearms Offense on Menominee Indian Reservation

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Wisconsin

Acting United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 6, 2020, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging a man and his mother for their alleged roles in a shooting on the Menominee Indian Reservation. The indictment named Menom L. Powless-Brown (age: 19) and Mary K. Powless (age: 42), both of Keshena, which is on the Menominee Indian Reservation.

The indictment charged Powless-Brown as follows:

Charge

Statute Section(s)

Maximum Sentence

Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

18 U.S.C. §§ 113(a)(3) and 1153(a)

Up to ten years in prison

Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence

18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)

Mandatory minimum ten years, consecutive to other sentences, and up to life in prison

Assault with Intent to Murder

18 U.S.C. §§ 113(a)(1) and 1153(a)

Up to 20 years in prison

Mary Powless was charged with Aiding and Abetting Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 113(a)(3), 1153(a), and 2(a).  She faces a maximum of ten years in prison.

Both defendants also face terms of supervised release and fines if convicted.

According to filed court documents, on or about March 13, 2021, Powless-Brown assaulted another man by pointing a 9mm semiautomatic handgun at him, which he then discharged several times.  Two individuals were struck with bullets, at least one of whom  sustained significant injuries as the result of the shooting.

The Menominee Tribal Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, which Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier will prosecute.

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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For further information contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales

Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov

414-297-1700

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Updated April 8, 2021