Two women have been sentenced and another indicted for illegally selling alcohol on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Juanita Jumping Eagle, 53, Manderson, and Louise Jumping Eagle, 62, Pine Ridge, both pleaded guilty to dispensing intoxicants in Indian Country. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier sentenced both women to two years of probation.

Juanita Jumping Eagle was also ordered to complete 20 hours of community service. Louise Jumping Eagle was fined $500 in addition to serving probation.

Meanwhile, 42-year-old Judy Lays Hard of Kyle has pleaded not guilty to a two-count indictment charging her with dispensing intoxicants. Federal court documents show she is accused of selling or giving away beer to another person Dec. 30, 2005.

Juanita Jumping Eagle admitted to selling vodka to an undercover Bureau of Indian Affairs agent Dec. 23, 2005, and Dec. 30, 2005. Louise Jumping Eagle admitted to selling vodka December 8 and 9, 2005, to the same agent.

Oglala Sioux tribal law prohibits alcohol sales on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Because there is a tribal ordinance banning alcohol, federal bootlegging laws also apply.

"Not only are they violating tribal law, they're violating federal law, and they're doing a disservice to their community," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Peterman, who prosecuted the case. "I respect the tribe's unwillingness to simply buckle under and legalize alcohol."

If convicted of bootlegging, Lays Hard could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count. Trial was tentatively set for July 10. According to federal court documents, Lays Hard was detained as a possible flight risk and danger to the community.

Contact Heidi Bell Gease at 394-8419 or heidi.bell@rapidcityjournal.com