Eagle Butte Man Charged with Mailing Threatening Communications

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Mailing Threatening Communication.

Gaylen Paul Sampson, a/k/a Thurman Paul Sampson, age 41, was indicted on March 8, 2016. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on March 9, 2016, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about December 17, 2015, at Hughes County, South Dakota, Sampson deposited in an authorized depository for mail matter to be sent and delivered by the U.S. Postal Service, and knowingly caused to be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service according to the direction thereon, a written communication containing a threat to injure the victim.  

The charges are merely an accusation and Sampson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.   

Sampson was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

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