Lester Waters Jr. of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, is facing federal charges after allegedly opening fire on two men near the reservation on January 25, 2018. The attack left both victims with serious bodily injuries, triggering a swift response from federal and tribal law enforcement.
Waters, 34, was formally charged on January 29, 2018, with Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, a federal offense carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. Additional penalties include 3 years of supervised release, a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and potential court-ordered restitution.
He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on February 2, 2018, where he entered a plea of not guilty. Waters was taken into federal custody and remains detained pending further proceedings. No trial date has been scheduled.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in coordination with the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. The joint effort underscores the fragile jurisdictional terrain of violent crime on tribal lands, where federal prosecutors often step in for major assaults.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins is handling the prosecution. Federal authorities have not released details about the motive or circumstances leading up to the shooting, citing the ongoing nature of the case.
The charge against Lester Waters Jr. is merely an accusation, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Grimy Times will continue to monitor this developing case for updates on court filings and trial scheduling.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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