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Press Release

Pierre Woman Indicted for Assaulting Federal Officers

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota

United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Pierre, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer.

Barbara McGhee, age 24, was indicted on April 13, 2021.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 15, 2022, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to eight years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on March 29, 2021, in Lower Brule, South Dakota, McGhee physically assaulted correctional officers as they were attempting to relocate her to another area of the jail.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Lower Brule Agency.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.   

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

Updated April 19, 2022