A Pukwana man is facing federal time after being charged in a drunken driving crash that left a minor with serious bodily injuries. Wesley Paul Miller, 40, was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 19, 2017, on one count of Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol Causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Minor, the Department of Justice announced.
On July 5, 2016, Miller allegedly took control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and drove directly over a child on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation. The incident, investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Crow Creek Agency, resulted in severe trauma to the victim, whose age and identity have not been released. The charges stem from federal jurisdiction over crimes committed on tribal lands.
Miller appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 23, 2017, where he entered a plea of not guilty. The indictment carries a maximum penalty of not more than 5 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The court may also impose full restitution for the child’s medical and related costs.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is leading the prosecution in what federal authorities are calling a clear-cut case of impaired judgment with catastrophic consequences. “Driving drunk is reckless. Driving drunk on tribal land and maiming a child is a federal crime,” said a DOJ source familiar with the case. “We don’t care if it’s a gravel road or a city street—when alcohol and vehicles collide with kids in the mix, we’re stepping in. Hard. “
Despite the severity of the charge, Miller was released on bond pending trial. No trial date has been scheduled as of this report. Court records show pretrial motions are being filed, and legal teams are preparing for a contentious battle over evidence, including toxicology reports and witness statements from the isolated rural scene.
The charge against Wesley Paul Miller is merely an accusation; he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Bureau of Indian Affairs continues to assist in the investigation as federal prosecutors build their case. Grimy Times will follow this story as developments emerge from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Dakota.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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