Manderson Man Indicted For Stealing Pickup Truck

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Manderson man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly stealing a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck from the Pine Ridge area on January 13, 2012, and transporting it across the state line.

Clayton Fire Thunder, age 28, was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 20, 2012, for Larceny and Interstate Transportation of Stolen Motor Vehicle.  Fire Thunder appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on January 9, 2013, and pled not guilty to the indictment.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. 

The charges are merely accusations, and Fire Thunder is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.  Assistant United States Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case.  Fire Thunder was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal.  A trial date has been set for March 19, 2013.