Okreek Man Charged With Assault By Strangulation And Suffocation And Child Abuse

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

Joe Scott, age 35, was indicted on April 22, 2014.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 25, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 15 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 March 23, 2014, Scott assaulted his dating partner and the victim’s three minor children.

The charge is merely an accusation and Scott 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.   

Scott was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.