United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a McLaughlin man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Rodney Lyman Reeds, age 43, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 8, 2012. Reeds appeared before United States Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on May 24, 2012 and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The charges relate to an allegation that Reeds assaulted a man with a knife in McLaughlin in January 2011. The charges are merely accusations, and Reeds is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Mikal Hanson is prosecuting the case. Reeds was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service. A trial date has not yet been set.
