Eagle Butte Man Charged with Assault and Discharging a Firearm During a Crime of Violence

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Discharging, Brandishing, Carrying, or Possessing a Firearm during and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.

William Hawk, Sr., age 30, was indicted on May 14, 2019.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on May 31, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on May 11, 2019, Hawk assaulted an individual by discharging a rifle at the victim with the intent to do bodily harm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.   

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