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Press Release

St. Francis Man Indicted for Assault Charges

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault With a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer.

Sylvan White Hat, Jr., a/k/a Bud White Hat, age 37, was indicted on March 13, 2018.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on March 23, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 2 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on October 16, 2017, White Hat assaulted an individual with shod feet with the intent to do bodily harm, and that the assault resulted in serious bodily injury.  The Indictment further alleges that White Hat assaulted two Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services officers on the same date.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.   

White Hat was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

Updated March 26, 2018

Topics
Indian Country Law and Justice
Violent Crime