Chat Moses Bobtail Bear Sr., Domestic Assault By An Habitual Offender, South Dakota 2013

Little Eagle Man Charged With Domestic Assault By An Habitual Offender And Assault With A Dangerous Weapon

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Chat Moses Bobtail Bear Sr., a 35-year-old man from Little Eagle, South Dakota, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple charges.

Bear, also known as Chate Bobtail Bear Sr., appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on August 29, 2013, and pled not guilty to the indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction of the habitual offender offense is 5 years of imprisonment. The maximum penalty upon conviction of the assault charge is 10 years of imprisonment. All counts include a possible $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, an additional 2 years of supervised release upon revocation, and a mandatory $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges stem from several alleged assaults of an individual who, at the time of the assaults, was the spouse or intimate partner of Bobtail Bear.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case. Bobtail Bear was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A trial date has not been set.

The charges are merely accusations, and Bobtail Bear is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Bear faces serious consequences if convicted. The maximum penalties for the alleged offenses are steep, and the possibility of lengthy supervised release and significant fines raises the stakes for the accused.

As this case unfolds, the community can expect to see more information about the allegations and the court’s proceedings. Grimy Times will provide updates as necessary to keep readers informed about this important case.

For more information, contact Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Rapid City, South Dakota.

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