Wakpala Man Sentenced For Assaulting, Resisting And Impeding A Federal Officer

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Wakpala, South Dakota, man convicted of Assaulting, Resisting and Impeding a Federal Officer was sentenced on November 18, 2013, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann. 
         
Juan Valadez, Jr., age 20, was sentenced to 12 months of custody, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Valadez was indicted for the above charge by a federal grand jury on March 13, 2013.  He pled guilty to an Information on August 22, 2013. 

The conviction stems from an incident occurring on January 26, 2013, in which an officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs received a call regarding a high speed pursuit in excess of 90 mph involving Valadez.  During the pursuit, the officer’s car and Valadez’s car came into physical contact with one another.  Valadez ignored the officer’s commands, but eventually the officer was able to get Valadez to stop and exit his vehicle.  As a result of the physical contact, the officer sustained mild contusions.
         
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case. 

Valadez was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.