Three Eagle Butte Residents Indicted for Forgery and Larceny

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that three Eagle Butte, South Dakota, residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury for sixteen counts of Forgery and one count of Larceny.

Gillis Bear Stops, Jr., age 40, Chelsea White Eyes, a/k/a Chelsea Elk Eagle, age 40, and Daryl Eagle Horse, a/k/a Daryl Hawk Eagle, age 29, were indicted on October 12, 2016.  They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Moreno and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 5 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 Indictment alleges that between May 29, 2016, and August 27, 2016, in Eagle Butte, the three defendants falsely made, completed, altered, or passed a total of 16 checks, with an intent to defraud the victim.  They received over $1,000.00 in cash.     

The charges are merely an accusation and each of the three defendants is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.   

Each of the three defendants were released on conditions pending trial.  A trial has been scheduled for December 31, 2016.