Bullhead Man Indicted On Assault Charges

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Bullhead, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury.
         
Alexander Oka, age 22, was indicted on November 14, 2013, for Assault by Strangulation and Suffocation and Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender.  Oka appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on November 19, 2013, and pled not guilty to the Indictment. 
         
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, an additional 2 years of supervised release upon revocation, and a mandatory $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered. 
         
The charges are merely accusations, and Oka is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
         
The Indictment alleges that on August 20, 2013, Oka assaulted his dating partner by strangling and suffocating her. 
         
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case. 
         
Oka was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.  A trial date has not been set.