United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Joseph Lloyd James, 48, of Norfolk, entered a plea of guilty today in federal court in Omaha to First Degree Murder in Indian Country.  James murdered Phyllis Hunhoff, of Yankton, South Dakota, on the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation in Nebraska.  United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher ordered a presentence investigation report and set sentencing for May 6, 2020 at 10 a.m. in Omaha. James’s plea agreement mandates a life sentence.  As part of his plea agreement, he waives his right to appeal, to seek a pardon, or commutation.

Phyllis Hunhoff regularly traveled from her home in Yankton to her mother’s home in Utica, South Dakota.  Her regular practice was to call her mother upon returning to Yankton.  On November 4, 2018, at approximately 10 p.m., Phyllis Hunhoff left her mother’s residence, alone, to drive home to Yankton.  She did not call her mother as she did not make it home.  Having not heard from her daughter, her mother began repeatedly calling her phone to determine her whereabouts.  All calls were unanswered.

James and other men were near Phyllis Hunhoff’s mother’s residence as she was leaving.  James and another man encountered Phyllis Hunhoff outside of the residence and got into her car with her inside.  James, Phyllis Hunhoff, and another man traveled to Norfolk, Nebraska, arriving at about 11:00 p.m.  When they arrived in Norfolk, James remained in the vehicle, and the other man left the vehicle.  James drove Phyllis Hunhoff’s vehicle, with her inside, to the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation in Knox County, Nebraska. 

During the early morning hours of November 5, 2018, while on the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation, James killed Phyllis Hunhoff.  He stabbed her with a knife and strangled her.  She died in her vehicle as a result of the bleeding and strangulation.  James drove Phyllis Hunhoff’s vehicle to a gas station on the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation.  Video from the gas station showed James putting gasoline into her vehicle and driving away.  Later, James returned in the same vehicle to the gas station and pumped gasoline into a soda bottle.  James put the bottle containing the gasoline into the vehicle.  He then drove to a wooded location on the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation in Knox County, Nebraska, where he set fire to Hunhoff’s body and her vehicle to conceal evidence of the murder.  He abandoned the body and vehicle and left the area.

Law enforcement officers investigated the murder and obtained evidence, including surveillance footage of James at the gas station during the early morning hours of November 5, 2018.  Santee Police recovered the shirt James was wearing when he killed Phyllis Hunhoff from a trash receptacle.  Her DNA was on James’ shirt.  James’s DNA was on clothing Phyllis Hunhoff was wearing when he killed her. 

United States Attorney Joe Kelly expressed his appreciation for the hard work and cooperation of multiple law enforcement agencies in both Nebraska and South Dakota.  “The quick and thorough work of these agencies, coupled thereafter with the acquisition of digital evidence, resulted in holding James accountable for this horrific crime and tragic loss for the Hunhoff family,” said USA Kelly.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Kristi Johnson added, “The FBI’s partnership with the Santee Sioux Nation Tribal Police, Knox County Sheriff, and Nebraska State Patrol were vital to the success of this investigation. So long as our Native American partners face terrible crimes like this on reservation land, the FBI stands ready to work alongside them as we together seek justice for all.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Nebraska State Patrol, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Santee Sioux Nation Tribal Police, Yankton County Sheriff’s Office, Yankton Police Department (South Dakota), Norfolk Police Department, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Nebraska State Fire Marshal, and the Lincoln Police Department.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 29 indictments charging 36 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

*          Andres Barrera-Solis, age 46, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about January 15, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Thonny Escobar Castaneda, age 34, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about January 18, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Anahi Chan-Cruz, age 20, of Omaha, is charged in a three-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with false representation of a social security number on or about July 22, 2017.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges the defendant with fraud and misuse of visas and other documents on or about July 22, 2017.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges the defendant with false claim of citizenship on or about July 22, 2017.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 3 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Anthony James Hanel, age 29, of Orting, Washington, and Courtney Laparele Clark, age 32, of Arlington, Washington, are charged in a three-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendants with illegal possession of device-making equipment on or about February 5, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Hanel with felon in possession on or about February 5, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges the defendants with possession of a firearm with obliterated serial number on or about February 5, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Christopher E. Collins, age 27, of Omaha, Marcus D. Evans, age 24, of Omaha, and Ervin L. Smith, Jr., age 23, of Omaha, are charged in a five-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendants with Robbery by force from an employee at Bucky’s Gas on or about January 1, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges the defendants with brandishing a firearm on or about January 1, 2019.  The possible penalty if convicted is 7 years’ to Life imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges the defendants with Robbery by force from an employee at Kwik Shop on or about January 1, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count IV charges the defendant with Robbery by force from an employee at Phillips 66 on or about January 1, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count V charges the defendants with discharging a firearm on or about January 1, 2019, during the Phillips 66 robbery.  The possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ to Life imprisonment consecutive to the other sentence, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Sean Odean, age 35, of Kearney, Nebraska, and Sara Duncan, age 33, of Kearney, Nebraska, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on November, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, 4-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Santiel Flores Trejo, age 29, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about February 3, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Kelmin Gonzalez-Mendoza, age 31, of Freemont, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with false representation of a social security number on or about December 18, 2017.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges the defendant with fraud and misuse of visas and other documents on or about December 18, 2017.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges the defendant with false claim of citizenship on or about December 18, 2017.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 3 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Edgar Alberto Guerra Palomares, age 35, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about October 12, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with illegal reentry after deportation on or about October 12, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Esteban Hirales-Murillo, age 48, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about January 17, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Max Kerkman, age 29, of Oakdale, Nebraska, is charged with unlawful user in possession of a firearm on or about June 20, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Mark H. King, age 56, of Omaha, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with receipt and distribution of child pornography on or about January 17, 201,9 through February 6. 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, 5-years to Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession of child pornography on February 6, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5 years to Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Christopher D. Longo, age 37, of Columbus, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with receipt and distribution of child pornography on or about April 23, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 5-years to Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession of child pornography on or about November 1, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5 years to Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Michael Dean McCullar, age 47, of Dwight, Nebraska, is charged in a four-count Indictment.  Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with production of child pornography on or about January 5, 2017.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 5-years to Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with distribution of child pornography on or about October 25, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5 years Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with distribution of child pornography on or about November 29, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5 years to Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count IV of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession of child pornography on or about October 25, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5 years to Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Cesar Medina, age 30, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about November 20, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Roberto Ochoa-Andrade, age 41, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about February 5, 2019, following an aggravated felony conviction.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Hannah Pauly,  Dustin Pauly and Jose Santos-Zepeda, are charged in a three-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendants with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, between on or about December 21, 2018 and January 11, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Hannah Pauly with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about January 11, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges Santos-Zepeda with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about January 11, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, 4-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  

*          Martell W. Runningshield, age 32, of Macy, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment.  Counts I-III charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine on or about October 24, 2017 through July 11, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment on each count, a $1,000,000 fine,  a 3-year term of supervised release each count, and a $100 special assessment each count. 

*          Adela Sabino Perez, age 20, and Ivan Ventura Sabino, age 42, are charged in a four-count Indictment.  Count I charges Sabino Perez with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine between on or about June, 2018 and about October 29, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Sabino Perez with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about October 29, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges Ventura Sabino with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about October 29, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, 4-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.   Count IV charges Sabino Perez with illegal reentry after deportation on or about October 29, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Ramon Simpson, age 48, of Norfolk, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  In Counts I and II defendant is charged with false statement on or about November 8, 2018 continuing through November 21, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Linzy M. Swisher, age 23, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about November 19, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, NLT 10-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Dilson Villatoro, age 35, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about October 18, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, NLT 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Joseph Lloyd James, age 47, is charged in a four-count Indictment.  Court I charges James with murder in Indian Country from on or about November 5, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is mandatory Life in prison, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges James with felony murder in Indian Country.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is mandatory Life in prison, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges James with kidnapping resulting in death.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is mandatory Life in prison or the death penalty, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count IV charges James with carjacking resulting in death.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to Life in prison or the death penalty, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment

*          Luis Enrique Perez-Osuna, age 26, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about February 6, 20199.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Francisco Pelaez-Melo, age 54, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about February 12, 2019, following an aggravated felony conviction.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Justin Beall, age 36, of Omaha, is charged with interstate communications with intent to extort on or about November 27, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Jose Mena-Valdez, age 35, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about October 30, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, 4-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with use of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime on or about October 30, 2018.  The possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ to Life imprisonment consecutive to the other sentence, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment..

*          Timothy R. Cessor, age 27, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, is charged with threats against the President of the United States on or about February 4, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Steven McCain, age 38, of Omaha is charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition on or about January 15, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 13 indictments charging 13 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

*          Emilio Bello-Ozuna, age 35, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about November 28, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Maurice T. Bowens, age 32, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with false statements during acquisition of a firearm on or about March 1, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with false statements during acquisition of a firearm on or about April 26, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and $100 special assessment.  Count III charges the defendant with illegal receipt of a firearm by person under Indictment on or about April 26, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and $100 special assessment. 

*          Manuel Cabrera, age 42, of Omaha, is charged with escape from custody on or about November 29, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and $100 special assessment.

*          David Campbell, age 33, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is charged in a three-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine beginning on or about July, 2018 and continuing to on or about September 4, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, not less than 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession of a firearm in furtherance a drug trafficking offense on or about September 4, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life consecutive imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and $100 special assessment.  Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about September 4, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and $100 special assessment.

*          Benito Ceballos-Espinoza, age 34, of Bellevue, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about November 15, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Joseph Lloyd James, age 47, is charged with arson in Indian Country from on or about November 5, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 25 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Jorden Johnson, age 23, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with robbery of personal property of the United States on or about November 14, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges the defendant with brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence on or about November 14, 2018.  The possible penalty if convicted is 7 years’ to Life imprisonment consecutive, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Javonn T. Lewis, age 23, of Indianapolis, Indiana, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with Interference with Commerce by Robbery by force from an employee at Walgreens on or about March 11, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges the defendant with Robbery involving Controlled Substances by force from an employee at Walgreens on or about March 11, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Said Antonio Mejia-Cerrato, age 37, of Crete, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about December 7, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Maria De Jesus Franco Munoz, age 47, of LaVista, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with false representation of a social security number on or about January 13, 2014.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges the defendant with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about December 6, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Jose Sevilla, age 33, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about November 13, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, 4-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Mauro Valente-Hernandez, age 27, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about November 28, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Michael I. White, age 19, of Muncie, Indiana, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with Interference with Commerce by Robbery by force from an employee at Walgreens on or about February 10, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges the defendant with Robbery involving Controlled Substances by force from an employee at Walgreens on or about February 10, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

United States Attorney, Joe Kelly, announced the unsealing of a criminal complaint charging Joseph Lloyd James, age 47 of Norfolk, Nebraska, with arson in connection with the burning of a car found on the Santee Sioux Indian reservation.  James’ arrest occurred on November 19, 2018, and was made during the investigation into the death of Phyllis Hunhoff of Yankton, South Dakota.  It is alleged James set fire to Hunhoff’s car.  The maximum punishment for the offense is 25 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a five year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  James is scheduled for his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge ­Susan M. Bazis on November 21, 2018, at 1:30 p.m..  As this matter concerns an ongoing investigation, the United States Attorney’s Office is unable to provide additional comment at this time. 

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office (Nebraska), the Santee Sioux Nation Police Department, the Lincoln Police Department (Nebraska), the Nebraska State Fire Marshal, the Norfolk Police Department (Nebraska), the Niobrara Police Department (Nebraska), and the Yankton County Sheriff’s Office (South Dakota).

A complaint is a formal accusation of conduct, not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.