Pine Ridge Man Guilty of Assault

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that James Bear Robe, age 26, of Pine Ridge, appeared before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on March 8, 2012, and pled guilty to Count I of an indictment that charged him with Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years' imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine.

In June 2011, near Oglala, Bear Robe hit another man in the face, almost tearing his lip off and fracturing his nose. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Office of Law Enforcement Services and the Oglala Sioux Tribe-Department of Public Safety.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for July 9, 2012. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.