Lower Brule Man Charged with Assault

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Lower Brule man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Maiming and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

Earl LaRoche, age 53, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 8, 2012. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on May 18, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years' imprisonment on the maiming charge and 10 years' imprisonment on the assault charge. Maximum penalties on both charges include a $250,000 fine and a period of supervised release of 3 years. The charges are merely accusations, and LaRoche is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case. LaRoche was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not yet been set.