Two Pine Ridge Women Sentenced for Assault

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that two Pine Ridge women charged with Assault by Striking, Beating, and Wounding were sentenced on May 18, 2012, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy. Sammi Jo Herman, age 23, and Sarah Marie Herman, age 20, were both sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay $10 to the Victim Assistance Fund.

In August 2010, after a verbal altercation, Sammi Herman struck another female and Sarah Herman sprayed her with mace while attending the Oglala Nation Fair near Pine Ridge. Both defendants pleaded guilty on January 4, 2012.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.