Wounded Knee Man Charged with Assault

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Wounded Knee man was indicted by a federal grand jury for aiding and abetting in the assault of another man at Pine Ridge on October 16, 2012.

King Martinez, age 33, was indicted on October 23, 2012, for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.  Martinez appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on December 14, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years' imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.  The charges are merely accusations, and Martinez is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Shattuck is prosecuting the case.  Martinez was released on bond pending trial.