Harrold Man Charged With Domestic Assault By A Habitual Offender

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

Lonnie Patrick Big Eagle, age 38, was indicted on January 13, 2015.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 16, 2015, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.  

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between August 9, 2014, and August 10, 2014, Big Eagle committed a domestic assault upon his common law wife, causing substantial bodily injury.  At the time of the assault, Big Eagle 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 charge is merely an accusation and Big Eagle is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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

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