United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization.
Robert Chasing Hawk, Jr., age 38, was indicted on February 8, 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 10, 2022, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to five years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between January 7, 2021, and March 8, 2021, in Eagle Butte, Chasing Hawk did knowingly embezzle, steal, and convert to his own use, assets belonging to the Elderly Nutrition Program, an Indian Tribal organization, in an amount greater than $1,000.
The charge is merely an accusation and Chasing Hawk is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Chasing Hawk was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.