Eagle Butte Woman Indicted for Assaulting Federal Officers

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer.

Toni Carole Cochran, age 26, was indicted on October 13, 2021.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 19, 2021, 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, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The indictment alleges that on January 21, 2021, in Eagle Butte, Cochran assaulted and resisted an officer by using her vehicle as a dangerous weapon and, following arrest, spat on another officer while both officers were engaged in the performance of their official duties.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem is prosecuting the case.   

Cochran was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date of December 14, 2021, has been set.