Sioux Falls Man Charged in Lennox Burglary

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Sioux Falls man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for two counts of burglary involving controlled substances and one count of possession of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.

John Robert Graham, age 25, was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 18, 2012. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John E. Simko on February 3, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The total maximum penalty upon conviction of all three counts is 55 years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both. The charges are merely accusations, and Graham is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The indictment alleges that on December 23, 2011, Graham attempted to burglarize a pharmacy in Lennox intending to steal a controlled substance. The indictment also alleges that he possessed a Ruger P-95 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol, during and in relation to the alleged burglary, and that he assaulted and jeopardized the life of another person.

The indictment further alleges that on November 20, 2011, Graham attempted to burglarize a Dell Rapids pharmacy, also intending to steal a controlled substance.

The investigation is being conducted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department, Tea Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Koliner is prosecuting the case.

Graham was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set.