Eagle Butte Man Indicted For Firearm Violations, Larceny And Tampering With A Witness

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession and Sale of a Stolen Firearm, Drug User in Possession of a Firearm, Larceny and Tampering with a Witness.

Jody Albert Hunt, age 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 12, 2013. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 24, 2013 and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; 3 years of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to an allegation that Hunt, while he was a drug user, stole firearms and other property from a ranch near Eagle Butte. Later, Hunt attempted to get a witness to submit false information about the case.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikal Hanson is prosecuting the case.

Hunt was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. A trial date has not been set.