McLaughlin Man Pleads Guilty To Assault Charges

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Roman Evans Weasel, Sr., age 39, of McLaughlin, South Dakota appeared before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on May 20, 2013 and pled guilty to a Superseding Information that charged him with Assault With a Dangerous Weapon and Domestic Assault by a Habitual Offender.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ custody, a $250,000 fine or both, and a period of supervised release of 3 years. There is a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and restitution may also be ordered.

The conviction stems from an incident during the early morning hours of March 5, 2012 when Weasel was at his home in McLaughlin. The victim, who was in a previous relationship with Weasel, came to his home and found Weasel and another person lying in bed together. Weasel saw the victim, became enraged and began to assault the victim with his fists and a knife he kept in his bedroom. As a result of the assault, the victim sustained multiple stab wounds and a broken nose. Weasel had previously been convicted on two or more occasions for assaults against intimate partners.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for September 9, 2013. The Defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.