Lower Brule Man Charged with First Degree Burglary and Assaults

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for First Degree Burglary, two counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and two counts of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

Jaron Grassrope, a/k/a Jaron Grass Rope, age 18, was indicted on October 17, 2017.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on November 1, 2017, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 35 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, up to 6 years of supervised release, and $500 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on July 2, 2017, Grassrope and his co-defendant unlawfully entered and remained in an occupied structure with the intent to commit the crime of larceny.  The Indictment also alleges that both defendants stabbed two male victims, causing serious bodily injuries to both of them.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lower Brule Agency.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.   

Grassrope was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, which has been set for January 3, 2018.