Mission Man Indicted for Assaulting an Officer, Strangulation and Child Abuse

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting, Opposing, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer, Assault by Strangulation and Suffocation, and Child Abuse.

Patrick Medearis, age 32, was indicted on January 21, 2016.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on March 8, 2016, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction for assaulting an officer is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine.  The maximum penalty upon conviction of strangulation is 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine.  The maximum penalty upon conviction of child abuse is up to 15 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine.  Each count also carries the possibility of 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

It is alleged that on October 31, 2015, Patrick Medearis unlawfully assaulted an intimate dating partner by strangling and suffocating the victim.  The alleged incident occurred in the presence of a child who had not attained the age of seven.  An arrest warrant was issued based on this incident.  It is alleged that on November 28, 2015, Medearis attempted to assault a law enforcement officer with a knife, while the officer was attempting to serve the arrest warrant.

The charges are merely accusations and Medearis 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 Kirk W. Albertson is prosecuting the case.   

Medearis was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  Trial is set to begin on March 29, 2016.

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