Eagle Butte Man Charged With Assault With Intent To Commit Murder And Assault By Strangulation

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 Intent to Commit Murder and Assault by Strangulation.

Harold Picotte, III, age 40, was indicted on May 13, 2014.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on May 16, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.  

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.  
The Indictment alleges that on or about February 20, 2014, Picotte unlawfully assaulted an adult female victim with the intent to commit murder by strangulation and suffocation. 

The charge is merely an accusation and Picotte is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Cheyenne River Agency.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikal Hanson is prosecuting the case.   

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