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Press Release

Pine Ridge Woman Charged with Assault on a Federal Officer

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

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault on a Federal Officer.

Tierra Lee Swift Bird, age 21, was indicted on March 21, 2017. Swift Bird appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on April 21, 2017, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 8 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 charge relates to Swift Bird assaulting a law enforcement officer with the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety while he was engaged in his official duties on October 15, 2016, at Pine Ridge.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen is prosecuting the case.

Swift Bird was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has been set for June 27, 2017.

Updated April 29, 2017

Topic
Indian Country Law and Justice