Lower Brule Man Pleads Guilty to Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Charles Allen Grey Owl, a/k/a Raymond Keith Grey Owl, age 42, of Lower Brule, appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on September 7, 2011, and pled guilty to count one of the indictment that charged him with domestic assault by an habitual offender. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years’ imprisonment.

The charge stems from the domestic assault upon the victim, who was 21 weeks pregnant. The defendant and the victim began to argue. The argument got heated, and the defendant hit the victim in the face with a closed fist several times, causing her mouth to bleed. The argument and assault continued, and the defendant struck the victim several more times in the face and body. As a result of the assault, she suffered substantial bodily injury, including multiple contusions, a black eye that swelled shut, a swollen lip and small laceration to her lip, and pain.

At the time of the domestic assault, the defendant had a final conviction on at least two other separate prior occasions in State of South Dakota court proceedings for domestic ciolence-simple assault, and domestic violence-simple assault, third offense.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Crow Creek Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges and United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson are prosecuting the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for November 28, 2011. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.