Fort Thompson Man Charged with Voluntary Manslaughter

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Fort Thompson, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Voluntary Manslaughter.

Zachery Lee Ziegler, age 31, was indicted on June 14, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 14, 2017, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 15 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 Indictment alleges that on May 23, 2017, Ziegler, upon a sudden quarrel and heat of passion, unlawfully killed another human being.

The charge is merely an accusation and Ziegler 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.

Ziegler was released on bond. A trial date has not been set.