Mission Man Charged With Assault By Strangulation And Suffocation

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault by Strangulation and Suffocation.

Joseph Lambert, age 27, was indicted on May 13, 2014.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 17, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

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.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about the 23rd day of April, 2014, Lambert unlawfully assaulted his dating partner by strangling and suffocating her.

The charge is merely an accusation and Lambert is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher is prosecuting the case.   

Lambert was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.