Eagle Butte Man Pleads Guilty To Firearm Offense

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Kimo Little Bird, Sr., age 31, of Eagle Butte, South Dakota appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on February 26, 2013 and pled guilty to Count II of an Indictment that charged him with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years' imprisonment, a $250,000 fine or both, and a period of supervised release of 3 years.

The conviction stems from an incident in December of 2012 when the Defendant was arrested for an outstanding tribal warrant. While making the arrest, law enforcement found a firearm at the residence where the Defendant was staying. The Defendant admitted that the firearm belonged to him and that he knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms because he had previously been convicted of a felony offense.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Morley.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for May 20, 2013. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.