Lower Brule Man Arraigned on Assault Charges

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Lower Brule man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting a Federal Officer and Assault With a Dangerous Weapon.

James C. LaRoche, age 37, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 10, 2011. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on May 17, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years' imprisonment on the Assaulting a Federal Officer charge and 10 years' imprisonment on the Assault With a Dangerous Weapon charge. The charges are merely accusations, and LaRoche is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case. LaRoche was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set.