Porcupine Man Charged with Assault

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Porcupine, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

Olin Janis, age 40, was charged on April 18, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on June 14, 2017, and pleaded not guilty to the charges. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment 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 Janis assaulting another man at Rockyford, breaking his nose and arm. The charges are merely an accusation and Janis is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson is prosecuting the case.

Janis was released pending trial. A trial date has not been set.