Pine Ridge Man Indicted for Assault
United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.
Rudolph Twiss, a/k/a Rudy Twiss, age 19, was indicted on April 19, 2016. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollman on April 22, 2016, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction for each Count 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 charges relate to an incident that occurred in Pine Ridge on September 13, 2015, where Twiss assaulted the victim with a knife, which resulted in serious bodily injury.
The charge is merely an accusation and Twiss is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services, and Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen is prosecuting the case.
Twiss was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has been set for June 28, 2016.