Eagle Butte Man Charged with Stealing Money and Wooden Carving from Four Bands Healing Center

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that an Eagle Butte man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for attempting to steal money and a wooden carving from the Four Bands Healing Center in August 2010.

Dennis Melvin Hopkins, age 41, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 22, 2011, for Larceny. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on July 5, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is five years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; three years of supervised release; and a $100 Special Assessment. Restitution may also be ordered. The charge is merely an accusation, and Hopkins is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Division. Assistant United States Attorney Mikal Hanson is prosecuting the case. Hopkins was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not yet been set.