Three Pine Ridge Men Indicted On Multiple Charges

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that three Pine Ridge, South Dakota, men were indicted by a federal grand jury on robbery, assault, and abusive sexual contact charges.

Wesley Running Shield, age 28; Michael Alford, age 32; and Lesley Running Shield, age 28, were indicted for offenses that occurred on two seperate occasions at Pine Ridge. 

The Running Shields and Alford were indicted for Robbery, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Abusive Sexual Contact.  On June 10, 2014, the three stole cell phones from two individuals and assaulted them.  Wesley Running Shield and Alford also sexually assaulted a woman at that time.

Wesley Running Shield and Michael Alford were also indicted for Robbery, Assault with a Dangerous
Weapon, and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury relating to an incident occurring on June 12, 2014, when they assaulted a man and stole his car and money.

The charges are merely accusations and the Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

All three Defendants have appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy and pled not guilty to the Indictments.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years’ imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years’ supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The investigations were conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services.   Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins is prosecuting the cases.  

The Running Shields and Alford were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, which has been set for September 16, 2014.