United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse, Assault of a Spouse by Strangulation, and Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender.

Cody Crazy Bull, age 27, was indicted on February 14, 2018.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on March 7, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody and/or a $750,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and up to $300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between October 14, 2017, and October 17, 2017, Crazy Bull knowingly caused and attempted to cause his dating partner to engage in a sexual act, by the use of force.  He is also alleged to have unlawfully assaulted the same victim by strangling and suffocating her. 

Crazy Bull is alleged to have unlawfully committed the above domestic assaults upon his partner when he had a final conviction, on at least two separate occasions, for offenses that would have been, if subject to federal jurisdiction, an assault against a spouse and intimate partner.

The charges are merely accusations and Crazy Bull 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.   

Crazy Bull was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A jury trial has been scheduled for May 1, 2018.