United States Attorney Marty J. Jackley announced today that on August 16, 2006, Christopher Austad pleaded guilty in federal court to Mailing Threatening Communications. Austad, 23, of Sioux Falls, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John E. Simko and pleaded guilty to count I of the original indictment which was returned following an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Secret Service. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. Jackley said the charge relates to an incident on March 27, 2006, which occurred when Austad mailed threatening letters to a United States District Court Judge. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rob
ert A. Mandel. A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date will be set. |
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