Ft. Thompson Woman Arraigned on Assault Charge

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Ft. Thompson woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting a Federal Officer.

Sheranda Shields, age 20, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 10, 2011. Shields appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on May 20, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years' imprisonment.

The indictment alleges that in September 2010, Shields forcibly assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, intimidated, and interfered with a Ft. Thompson police officer using a deadly and dangerous weapon, that is, a motor vehicle, while the police officer was employed as a federal law enforcement officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of Interior, assigned to perform law enforcement functions and while the officer was engaged in the performance of his official duties.

The charge is merely an accusation, and Shields is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Crow Creek Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case. Shields was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set.