United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man charged with Criminal Contempt pled guilty to and was sentenced on May 12, 2016, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno.

Vance TaSunke Witko, age 34, was sentenced to time served, equal to 21 days in custody, and $10 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The conviction stems from an incident that took place on February 17, 2016, when TaSunke Witko failed to appear at the Federal Courthouse to testify at a hearing. 

The investigation was conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Lower Brule Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk W. Albertson.