A Manderson man is facing federal manslaughter and firearms
charges in connection with a fatal shooting last July.
Justin Looks Twice, 20, pleaded not guilty in U.S. District
Court to charges of involuntary manslaughter and use of a firearm
during a crime of violence. Federal court documents show he is
accused of acting "in a grossly negligent manner" when he
accidentally shot and killed Darrell Martinez, 19, of Wounded
Knee.
The shooting happened July 10 in Manderson.
If convicted of manslaughter, Looks Twice could face a maximum
sentence of eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The firearms
charge carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a
maximum of life in prison upon conviction, plus fines.
No trial date was set.
In other federal court news:
- Shaun Chosa, 27, Rosebud, pleaded guilty to a
charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to
distribute a controlled substance. According to a news release from
the U.S. Attorney's Office, the charge involves a conspiracy to
distribute methamphetamine in Rosebud between January 2004 and
March 2008. The charge carries a mandatory minimum of five years in
prison with a maximum of 40 years and a $2 million fine. Chosa is
in custody pending sentencing March 6.
- Shane Cook, 30, Eagle Butte, pleaded guilty to
conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a
controlled substance. According to a news release from the U.S.
Attorney's Office, the charge involves a conspiracy to distribute
cocaine in Dewey County between October 2005 and August 2007. The
maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Cook
is in custody pending sentencing March 6.
- Efren Dominguez, also known as Efren
Jumping Eagle, 25, Manderson, pleaded guilty to a
misdemeanor charge of assault by striking, beating or wounding.
According to federal court documents, he admitted stabbing a man in
the stomach with a steak knife. The incident happened Jan. 25 in
Manderson. Dominguez was originally indicted on two additional
felony assault charges. Dominguez is in custody pending sentencing
Feb. 13.
- Allexander Klynsma, 19, Rapid City, pleaded
not guilty to an indictment charging him with distribution of child
pornography. According to federal court documents, he is accused of
receiving and distributing child pornography via computer in
September in Rapid City. The charge carries a mandatory minimum of
five years in prison, with a maximum of 20 years in prison upon
conviction, plus a $250,000 fine. No trial date was set.
- Galen Lee "Ace" Loefer, 30, Wanblee, pleaded
not guilty to an indictment charging him with assault resulting in
serious bodily injury. According to a news release from the U.S.
Attorney's Office, he is accused of assaulting and seriously
injuring a young child between Nov. 27 and Dec. 7 in Wanblee. The
maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in prison and a
$250,000 fine. No trial date was set.
Editor's note: The U.S. District Court
generally prosecutes felonies committed on reservations, while
tribal courts handle misdemeanor crimes. Felonies that happen off
the reservation are prosecuted in state/circuit court and are
reported separately in the Journal. Some drug and firearms cases
are also prosecuted in federal court.