Eagle Butte Man Pleads Guilty to Assault

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that an Eagle Butte man has pled guilty to an assault charge.

Mahlon Cecil Jeffries, age 26, was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2012. He appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on December 5, 2012, and pled guilty to an indictment that charged him with Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

The conviction stems from an incident on December 25, 2011, when Jeffries and the victim were at a residence. An argument began between the two. Jeffries left the residence and returned with a yard tool which he used to strike the victim on the head, causing a skull fracture.

The investigation was conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich is prosecuting the case. Jeffries was released on conditions pending sentencing. A sentencing date has been set for February 25, 2013.