McLaughlin Man Charged With Domestic Assault By A Habitual Offender

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

Anthony Bobtail Bear, Jr., age 34, was indicted on February 11, 2014, and March 11, 2014.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on March 21, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictments.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each Indictment.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictments allege that on December 3, 2013, and again on February 26, 2014, Bobtail Bear unlawfully committed acts of domestic assault against separate victims.  At the time of the assaults, Bobtail Bear had at least two separate prior convictions for assaults that were against a spouse or intimate partner.

The charge are merely accusations and Bobtail Bear is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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

Bobtail Bear was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  Trial dates have not been set.