Oglala Man Pleads Not Guilty To Felony Child Abuse And Neglect

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that an Oglala, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Felony Child Abuse and Neglect.

Leon Eagle, age 21, was indicted on March 18, 2014.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on April 4, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 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 charge relates to Eagle abusing a child who had not attained the age of seven years old in September 2012 at Oglala.

The charge is merely an accusation and Eagle 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.

Eagle was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has been set for June 10, 2014.