Wanblee Man Guilty of Shooting Man With BB Gun

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Merle Sitting Up, age 37, of Wanblee, appeared before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on March 8, 2012, and pled guilty to a charge of Assault by Striking, Beating, or Wounding. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 6 months' imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine.

In June 2010, near Wanblee, Sitting Up shot another person with a BB gun, hitting him in the cheek. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs- Office of Law Enforcement Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe-Department of Public Safety.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date will be set. The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.