Two Pine Ridge Men Convicted Of Assault With A Dangerous Weapon And Assault Resulting In Serious Bodily Injury

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Wesley Running Shield, age 28, and Michael Alford, age 33, both of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, were found guilty of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, at the conclusion of a four-day federal jury trial in Rapid City, South Dakota. 

Each charge carries up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The convictions stem from Running Shield and Alford assaulting a male victim with a metal bar and shod feet on June 12, 2014, at Pine Ridge.  The defendants utilized a metal bar to break the victim’s leg and hand and caused a large laceration on his head.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.  

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah B. Collins and Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for June 5, 2015. The defendants were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.