Lower Brule Man Arraigned on Assault Charge

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.

Lucas LaRoche, age 29, was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 22, 2011. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 29, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 8 years' imprisonment. The charge arises from an incident that occurred on June 2, 2011, in Lyman County. The charge is merely an accusation, and LaRoche is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lower Brule Agency. 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.