Farmer Indicted: Sioux Falls Man Choked Partner

SIOUX FALLS, SD – Daniel James Farmer, 24, of Sioux Falls, stands accused of brutally assaulting an intimate partner in Todd County, South Dakota, on two separate occasions in 2017. A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Farmer on October 16, 2019, charging him with Assault by Strangulation and Suffocation.

According to the indictment, Farmer allegedly strangled and suffocated the victim on July 5, 2017, and again on December 10, 2017. Details of the assaults remain sealed, but the charges suggest a pattern of violent control. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services spearheaded the investigation, bringing the case to the attention of federal prosecutors.

Farmer appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 11, 2020, entering a plea of not guilty to the indictment. He is currently held in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, awaiting a trial date that has yet to be determined. The legal process is underway, but the allegations paint a disturbing picture of domestic terror.

If convicted, Farmer faces a stiff penalty: up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine. The sentence could also include three years of supervised release following incarceration, and a mandatory $100 payment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution to the victim may also be ordered by the court.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case, tasked with proving Farmer’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecution will likely present evidence detailing the alleged assaults and the resulting trauma inflicted upon the victim. This case underscores the serious consequences of domestic violence and the commitment of federal authorities to pursue justice.

It’s crucial to remember that these are merely accusations at this stage. Farmer is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the charges themselves are a stark reminder of the vulnerability of victims and the devastating impact of domestic abuse. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments as they unfold.