Mission Woman Pleads Not Guilty to Assault Charges

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Mission, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

Alverna Eastman, age 52, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 10, 2011. She appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on May 25, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years’ custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; three years of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges are merely accusations, and Eastman is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Maher. Eastman was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal.