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Press Release

Oglala Man Pleads Guilty To Destruction Of Government Property

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Eldon Ray Tobacco, age 26, of Oglala, South Dakota, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Veronica L. Duffy on August 16, 2013, and pled guilty to Destruction of Government Property. 

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 1 year imprisonment and a $100,000 fine.

The charge relates to Tobacco throwing a rock at the windshield of a 2010 Ford Expedition belonging to the U.S. General Services Administration  and leased to the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.  The incident happened between March 27 and 28, 2011.  The rock caused enough damage that the windshield had to be replaced. 

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 Wayne Venhuizen.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for October 25, 2013.  The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.

Updated June 22, 2015