Wanblee Man Sentenced for Assaulting a Federal Officer

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Wanblee, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault on a Federal Officer was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Charles Wakinya Zi Janis, age 37, was sentenced on October 28, 2019, to 2 years in a federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The conviction stems from Janis charging an Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety officer, after the officer responded to a call at Sharps Housing near Porcupine, South Dakota.  Janis then picked up a hatchet from the front yard and made slashing movements with it towards officers.  An officer used a Taser to subdue and apprehend Janis.

This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassandra DeCoste prosecuted the case.

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