Wood, South Dakota, Man Pled Not Guilty to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon; Child Abuse; Using, Carrying, or Possessing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; and Felon in Possession of a Firearm

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Wood, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon; Child Abuse; Using, Carrying, or Possessing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Eli Henry Siers, age 33, was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 20, 2011. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 23, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is life in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both. Restitution may also be ordered.

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