Pine Ridge Man Pleads Guilty to Discharge of a Firearm
U.S. Attorney’s Office April 13, 2010 |
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Louis Janis, age 29, of Pine Ridge, appeared before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on April 13, 2010, and pled guilty to an information that charged him with discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The mandatory minimum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment up to life, a $250,000 fine, or both. Janis approached and confronted another person who was sitting in a vehicle at the East Ridge Housing in Pine Ridge. Janis aimed a .45 caliber handgun at the victim and discharged the firearm from six to eight feet away. As a result of the victim being shot at such close range, he sustained life-threatening injuries, was hospitalized for several weeks, and underwent surgery. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri. A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for July 2, 2010. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.