Pine Ridge Man Pleads Guilty To Assaulting A Federal Officer

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Clarence Janis, age 30, of Pine Ridge, South Dakota appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on March 7, 2013 and pled guilty to Assaulting a Federal Officer. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 1 year of imprisonment and/or a $100,000 fine.

On May 7, 2011 near Pine Ridge, Janis assaulted an Oglala Sioux Tribe police officer as she was attempting to remove him from a residence. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for May 16, 2013. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending acceptance of this plea and sentencing.