Lower Brule Man Guilty Of Assault

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Irvin Scott Yazzie, age 24, of Lower Brule, South Dakota, appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on April 30, 2013, and pled guilty to the indictment that charged him with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both; 3 years of supervised release, and an additional 2 years of supervised release upon revocation.  Restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund may also be ordered. 

The charge stems from an incident when Yazzie and his girlfriend, who were staying at a residence in Lower Brule, began arguing about their relationship.  During the course of the argument, Yazzie assaulted the victim by striking her with his fists and a black aluminum pole.  The victim suffered bruising as a result of the assault.

The investigation was being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.  Yazzie  was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service pending sentencing on July 22, 2013.