United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Threatening a Federal Law Enforcement Officer.
Richard Todd Steele, age 42, was indicted in September of 2021. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 15, 2022, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $300 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on June 13, 2021, in McLaughlin, Steele assaulted a man with a knife and shod feet. After being arrested, he threatened physical harm to a federal law enforcement officer.
The charges are merely accusations and Steele 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Steele was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date was set for October 18, 2022.