Bullhead Man Charged as Habitual Offender

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Bullhead, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

Willard Paul Farrell, III, age 24, was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 21, 2012. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on August 28, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The charges relate to an allegation that Farrell assaulted a McLaughlin woman in January 2011, and that this assault made Farrell an Habitual Domestic Abuser in violation of federal law.

The charges are merely accusations, and Farrell is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.

Farrell was detained pending trial. No trial date has been set.