Sioux Falls Woman Sentenced on Drug Charges

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Gilbert Blue Bird, age 41, was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 21, 2010, for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on January 4, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation, and Blue Bird is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the ATF, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins is prosecuting the case. Blue Bird was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal.

A trial date has not yet been set.