Rapid City Man Indicted For False Information Concerning Aircraft Piracy

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly making a false report to law enforcement authorities that an attempt was being made to hijack an aircraft in Pennington County on January 3, 2013.

Curtis Belile, age 24, was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 23, 2013 for False Information Concerning Aircraft Piracy. Belile appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on January 29, 2013 and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 5 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation and Belile is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Rapid City Police Department, Box Elder Police Department, Pennington County Sheriff's Office, SD Highway Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen is prosecuting the case. Belile was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has been set for April 9, 2013.