Fort Thompson Man Charged With Assault By Strangulation And Suffocation And Domestic Assault By A Habitual Offender

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Fort Thompson, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault by Strangulation and Suffocation and Domestic Assault by a Habitual Offender.

Santana Drapeau, age 22, was indicted on July 15, 2014.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 4, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about May 18, 2014, Drapeau unlawfully assaulted an adult female victim by strangling and suffocating her.  Drapeau also unlawfully committed a domestic assault upon the same victim when he had a final conviction, on at least two separate prior occasions for offenses that would have been, if subject to federal jurisdiction, an assault against a spouse or intimate partner.

The charges are merely accusations and Drapeau is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Crow Creek Agency.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.   

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