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Press Release

Chamberlain Man Charged With Burglary Of A United States Post Office, Theft Of Mail, And Theft Of Postal Money Order

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Chamberlain, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Burglary of a United States Post Office, Theft of Mail, and Theft of Postal Money Order.

James Short Bear, age 19, was indicted on April 15, 2014.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 23, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between March 2 and March 3, 2014, Short Bear broke into the Chamberlain Post Office and stole mail, as well as a check written to AT&T, and tried to convert it to his own use.

The charges are merely accusations and Short Bear is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.   

Short Bear was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.


Updated June 22, 2015