Lower Brule man pleads guilty to assault charge

A Lower Brule man pleaded guilty Nov. 22 to assault with a dangerous weapon.

John R. Estes II, 35, appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in prison.

Estes was originally charged by complaint in May. He was indicted by a grand jury in June.

The charge stems from an April incident when Estes argued with a female victim. During the argument, he held a handgun, pointed it at the victim and threatened her with it.

Estes also threatened to kill the victim if she ever left him. Lange ordered a pre-sentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for February. Estes was released on bond pending sentencing.

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