St. Francis Woman Indicted for Escape and Criminal Contempt Charges

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Escape from Custody and Criminal Contempt.

Omalewin Neck, age 25, was indicted on December 11, 2018.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on December 13, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 5 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

Neck plead guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter, on August 7, 2018.  She was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals pending sentencing for the Involuntary Manslaughter charge, which is set for January 4, 2018.

The Indictment alleges that on December 1, 2018, Neck failed to report to the Winner City Jail, following a furlough to attend a funeral, as ordered by the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.  The Indictment further alleges Neck willfully and unlawfully disobeyed an order of the U.S. District Court, by not following the terms of her furlough to attend a funeral.

The charges are merely accusations and Neck is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.   

Neck was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.