July 18, 2021 - Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Todd County, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer.

Alejandro Santistevan, age 21, was indicted on September 9, 2020.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on July 16, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 8 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on May 18, 2020, in Todd County, South Dakota, Santistevan did assault, oppose, impede, intimidate, and interfere with two law enforcement officers who were employed by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, and that such conduct involved physical contact.

The charges are merely accusations and Santistevan is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.   

Santistevan was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has been set for August 31, 2021.