Pine Ridge Man Charged With Assault

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly slapping, punching, and kicking his girlfriend at Pine Ridge.

Michael Tobacco, age 21, was indicted on August 27, 2013, for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner or Dating Partner. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on September 11, 2013, and pled not guilty to the Indictment. 

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years’ imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine.  The charges are merely an accusation and Tobacco is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case.