Pine Ridge Man Guilty of Assaulting Federal Officer

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Andrew Cochran, age 24, of Pine Ridge, appeared before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on November 28, 2012, and pled guilty to a charge of Assault on a Federal Officer. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 1 year of imprisonment and/or a $100,000 fine.

In August 2012, Cochran struck an Oglala Sioux tribal police officer's vehicle with his pickup truck. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for February 25, 2013. The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.