Lower Brule Man Arraigned on Assault Charge

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Lower Brule man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for assaulting a federal officer.

Damon LaRoche, age 36, was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 12, 2011. LaRoche appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on July 13, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years’ imprisonment. The charge is merely an accusation, and LaRoche is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case. LaRoche was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set.