Lower Brule man pleads guilty to Assaulting a Federal Officer

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Damon LaRoche, age 36, of Lower Brule, appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on September 7, 2011, and pled guilty to a Superseding Information that charged him with Assaulting a Federal Officer. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 8 years' imprisonment.

The charge stems from an incident on the 4th of July, 2011, wherein a law enforcement officer responded to a call to remove the defendant from a residence. When the officer attempted to rouse the defendant to take him to another location, a physical struggle ensued during which time the defendant bit the officer on his arms several times, puncturing the skin in several places. The bites caused the officer physical injury and pain.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for November 28, 2011. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.