A disturbing case of violence has shaken the small town of Pine Ridge in South Dakota. Tommy Blue Bird, a 27-year-old man, has been charged with Kidnapping, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Assault by Strangulation and Suffocation.
According to the indictment, Blue Bird allegedly held a female against her will and assaulted her at Pine Ridge. The exact date of the crime is not specified, but Blue Bird was indicted on May 24, 2016.
Blue Bird appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on June 3, 2016, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is life imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Justice Services and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson is prosecuting the case.
Blue Bird was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. The charges against him are merely an accusation, and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The people of Pine Ridge are left to wonder what drove Blue Bird to commit such heinous crimes. As the case unfolds, one thing is clear: justice must be served. The community demands that those responsible for senseless violence be held accountable.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
**Mandatory Facts:**
Defendant: Tommy Blue Bird
Criminal Charges: Kidnapping, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Assault by Strangulation and Suffocation
City and State: Pine Ridge, South Dakota
Indictment Date: May 24, 2016
Sentence: Pending trial
Fine: Up to $250,000
Restitution: May be ordered
Related Federal Cases
- Tommy Blue Bird, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault by Strangulation and Suffocation, South Dakota 2016 · South Dakota
- Tierra Lee Swift Bird, Assault on a Federal Officer, South Dakota 2016 · South Dakota
- Dylan Blue Thunder, Assault With Intent to Commit Murder, South Dakota 2019 · South Dakota
- Gordon Blue Arm, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, South Dakota 2020 · Utah
- Steven McDaniel, Kidnapping and Assault, South Dakota 2019 · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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