Kyle Man Indicted for Theft from Oglala Lakota College

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Kyle, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for taking and selling property owned by the Oglala Lakota College between February and June 2012.

Brandon Ferguson, age 29, was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 24, 2012, for Embezzlement and Theft from Indian Tribal Organization and Larceny. Ferguson appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on July 27, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 5 years' imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. The charges are merely accusations, and Ferguson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Ferguson was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set.