Huron Man Charged with Simple Assault

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Huron, South Dakota, man has been charged by Complaint for Simple Assault.

James Christopher Wahl, a/k/a Kris Casanova, age 27, was charged on April 29, 2016.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on May 27, 2016, and pled not guilty to the Complaint.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 6 months in custody and/or a $5,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and $10 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Complaint alleges that on or about April 4, 2016, Wahl, a non-Indian, unlawfully assaulted a female acquaintance who is a tribal member, and said assault, which occurred on the reservation, constituted Simple Assault.

The charge is merely an accusation and Wahl 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.   

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