Man Indicted for Assault and Witness Tampering on Indian Reservation
| U.S. Attorney’s Office August 10, 2011 |
Travis Jay Kendall, 24, of Mount Pleasant, was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Bay City, Michigan for assault causing serious bodily injury and witness tampering, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today. McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge, Andrew G. Arena, Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The indictment charges that on July 28, 2011, Kendall assaulted his girlfriend on the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Reservation in Isabella County, Michigan. During the incident, it is alleged that Kendall strangled the victim to the point that she could not breathe. The indictment also charges that Kendall attempted to intimidate, threaten, or corruptly persuade the victim with the intent to influence her testimony at a grand jury proceeding. If convicted as charged, Kendall faces up to 20 years in prison.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police and special agents of the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roy Kranz.