Ft. Thompson Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Burglary

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Kelly McGhee, Jr., age 21, of Ft. Thompson, appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on May 2, 2011, and pled guilty to count one of an indictment that charged him with bank burglary. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years' imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine.

In December 2009, McGhee, along with another person, broke into a convenience store in Wessington Springs and stole an automated teller machine owned by a federally insured bank. The investigation was conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Jerauld County Sheriff's Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs - Crow Creek and Lower Brule Agencies, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for July 21, 2011. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals pending sentencing.