Lower Brule Man Pleads Guilty to Assault

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Earl LaRoche, age 53, of Lower Brule, appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on January 7, 2013, and pled guilty to the indictment that charged him with assault resulting in serious bodily injury. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The charge stems from an incident on October 9, 2011, when LaRoche unlawfully assaulted the victim by biting off a portion of her ear, requiring 25 stitches and resulting in permanent disfigurement.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case. LaRoche was released on bond pending sentencing. A sentencing date has been set for March 25, 2013.