Pine Ridge Man Indicted for Assaulting a Federal Officer

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Pine Ridge man was indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting a Federal Officer and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.

Kevin Apple, age 37, was indicted on July 24, 2012, for assaulting an Oglala Sioux Tribe Police Officer during a traffic stop. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on August 30, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years' imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. The charges are merely accusations, and Apple is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case. Apple was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set.