United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Bullhead, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Arson.
James Edward Little Eagle, age 58, was indicted on July 11, 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 5, 2022, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on June 14, 2022, in Bullhead, Little Eagle willfully and maliciously set fire to and burned a dwelling.
The charge is merely an accusation and Little Eagle is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services, Standing Rock Agency and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Little Eagle was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.