McLaughlin Man Pleads Guilty to Assault Charge

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Roland Joseph Thundershield, a/k/a Roland Joseph Antelope, age 38, of McLaughlin, appeared before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on October 15, 2012, and pled guilty to an indictment that charged him with assault with a dangerous weapon. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The conviction stems from an incident in January 2011 when the fefendant was drinking with the victim and two other people. Over the course of the evening, an argument and fight ensued between the victim and defendant. The defendant assaulted the victim with a box cutter.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Morley.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for January 3, 2013. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.