Ft. Thompson Woman Sentenced on Assault Charge

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Ft. Thompson woman charged with Assaulting a Federal Officer was sentenced on October 4, 2011, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange. Sheranda Shields, age 20, was sentenced to 12 months in custody and 3 years of supervised release.
Shields was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2011. She pled guilty to an Information in July 2011.

The charge stems from an incident in September 2010 when a BIA officer attempted to make a stop of Shields' vehicle. She did not stop but continued to drive at a high rate of speed through a housing area. Shields' vehicle was driving erratically, swerving, and traveling at speeds in excess of 80 mph.
The pursuit continued for some time. The vehicle came to a stop in the approach of a residence. The BIA officer pulled in behind the vehicle. At this time the reverse lights on the defendant's vehicle came on, and it backed up into the BIA officer's vehicle, ramming the bumper. The BIA officer was not injured. He was able to arrest Shields, at which time she threatened him.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Crow Creek Agency. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges.

Shields was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshal to begin serving her sentence.