Pine Ridge Man Indicted for Illegal Possession of a Firearm

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Pine Ridge man was indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally possessing a .38 caliber revolver.

Daniel Thomas, age 20, was indicted on August 29, 2012, for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on September 5, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years' imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation, and Thomas 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case. Thomas was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set.