Skip to main content
Press Release

Eagle Butte Man Charged With Assault With A Dangerous Weapon And Assault Resulting In Serious Bodily Injury

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

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

Joseph Anthony Little Star, age 19, was indicted on July 19, 2013.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 5, 2013, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is at least 10 years and up to life in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; 5 years of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to an incident that allegedly occurred in July 2013 in Eagle Butte when Little Star assaulted a victim under the age of 18 with shod feet and a metal bar, causing serious bodily injury. 

The charges are merely an accusation and Little Star is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikal Hanson is prosecuting the case.  
 
Little Star was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.  A trial date has not been set.

Updated June 22, 2015