United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Domestic Violence by an Habitual Offender, and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.
Melvin Semon, age 55, was indicted on April 12, 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 14, 2022, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 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 on April 30, 2019, and January 3, 2022, in Eagle Butte, Semon committed domestic assault. Semon committed the first assault with a dangerous weapon; the second assault resulted in serious bodily injury to his intimate partner. At the time of the assault, Semon had at least two prior convictions of offenses that would have been, if subject to federal jurisdiction, assaults against a spouse or intimate partner.
The charges are merely accusations and Semon is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem is prosecuting the case.
Semon was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending hearing. A trial date has not been set.