Bert Cottier, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, South Dakota 2016

A Pine Ridge man was stabbed with a knife in the small town of Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Bert Cottier, a/k/a Bert Chang, age 50, was the alleged perpetrator.

The federal indictment, handed down on July 26, 2016, accused Cottier of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. He was taken into custody and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on September 9, 2016, pleading not guilty to the charges.

Cottier faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. He may also be ordered to pay restitution.

The charge against Cottier stems from an incident in Pine Ridge. The Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen is prosecuting the case.

Cottier was released pending trial. A trial date has been set for November 15, 2016. He is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The alleged assault is a serious crime with severe consequences. If convicted, Cottier could face significant prison time and fines. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of community safety and the need for effective law enforcement.

As the trial approaches, the community will be watching closely. The outcome of the case will have a significant impact on Cottier's life and the lives of those affected by the alleged crime.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/pine-ridge-man-indicted-assault-6