John Matthew Pilcher, Assault with Intent to Commit Murder, South Dakota 2019

A brutal assault in Agency Village, South Dakota, has led to federal charges against a 48-year-old man.

John Matthew Pilcher, a resident of Agency Village, was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 5, 2019, for assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

According to the indictment, Pilcher allegedly assaulted the victim with a knife or a sharp-edged object on November 10, 2018, with the intent to commit murder, and the assault did result in serious bodily injury.

Pilcher appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William Gerdes on May 13, 2019, and pled not guilty to the indictment. He was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service with a trial date set for June 25, 2019.

The maximum penalties upon conviction for each count are as follows: 20 years and 10 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a mandatory minimum term of five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for the victim/witness fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges are merely accusations, and Pilcher is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuting the case.

Pilcher's case is a sobering reminder of the need for increased awareness and action to prevent such violent crimes. The community is encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/agency-village-man-charged-assault-intent-commit-murder