Allen Man Pleads Not Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter and Assault

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that an Allen, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Involuntary Manslaughter and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

Jeff Sitting Bear, Jr., age 43, was indicted on July 26, 2016.  Sitting Bear appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on August 12, 2016, and plead not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Sitting Bear committing the offenses by driving a motor vehicle in the wrong lane of traffic while under the influence of alcohol.  Sitting Bear collided head on with a motorcycle being driven by the victim on July 2, 2016, near Kyle.

The charges are merely accusations and Sitting Bear is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen is prosecuting the case.

Sitting Bear was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has been set for October 18, 2016.