Eagle Butte Man Pleads Guilty to Burglary Charge

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Shace Looking Horse, age 18, of Eagle Butte, appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on November 8, 2012, and pled guilty to the Indictment that charged him with Third Degree Burglary. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years' imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The conviction stems from an incident in the early morning hours of June 7, 2012, when Looking Horse and two other individuals went to the Chatter Box Corner Café in Timber Lake, and achieved entry to the business, which was closed at the time, by using a fence stretcher to break a window. Looking Horse aided and abetted the burglary, which included assisting others in entering the store based on a predetermined plan and taking U.S. currency and other items from the store, committing the offense of third degree burglary.

The investigation was conducted by Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Law Enforcement Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for February 4, 2013. The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.