Pine Ridge Woman Indicted for Arson

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Pine Ridge woman was indicted by a federal grand jury for setting fire to another person's residence after the two had an argument.

Pamela Belt, age 48, was indicted on June 19, 2012, for Arson. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on December 14, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The penalty upon conviction is any term of years up to life imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation, and Belt is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case. Belt was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set.