Woman from Pine Ridge Pleads Not Guilty to Abusing a Minor

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Abuse of a Minor. Stephanie Yellow Boy, age 24, of Pine Ridge, was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 18, 2009, for Abuse of a Minor. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on December 9, 2009, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years' imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation, and Yellow Boy 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 Mara M. Kohn is prosecuting the case. Yellow Boy was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set.