URGENT URGENT – U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – 1-30-18 – 3:47 a.m. ET
Federal prosecutors drop aggravated sexual assault charges against Keshena teen at Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin (MITW nation)
Prosecutors drop aggravated rape charges against Justine A. Schneider of Keshena, WI
By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433
(Keshena, WI) – Federal prosecutors last Tuesday quietly dropped charges against a Keshena teen accused of aggravated sexual assault – saying with the current evidence they “cannot prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Federal prosecutors on MITW aggravated rape case: “Cannot prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
On Jan 23, 2018, Chief United States District Judge William C. Griesbach approved “an order granting the government’s motion for leave to dismiss indictment” against 19-year-old Justin A. Schneider of Keshena, WI. Schneider faced life in prison if convicted.
Its not clear if the dismissal of the charges was with or without prejudice – which determines whether the charges can be refiled in the future. Scroll down to read or download the federal paperwork
Federal prosecutors last Monday, Jan. 22, 2018 requested the judge dismiss the charges in a “motion for leave to dismiss indictment.”
“As grounds for, the government carefully reevaluated the available and admissible evidence in the case and determined that it cannot prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt,” states the dismissal motion from federal prosecutors.
Keshena Shocker: Federal prosecutors drop MITW aggravated rape charges against Justine A. Schneider of Keshena, WI
Schneider was indicted on June 6, 2017 on one felony charge of “aggravated sexual assault” charging that that he brutally raped another member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin.
Schneider was released on personal recognizance bond on June 14, 2017 about a week after his arrest – with no objection by federal prosecutors.
The victim was identified only as Jane Doe – an adult female. The indictment charged that Schneider “held Jane Doe down by grabbing her arms and placing his hand on her chest” during the alleged rape.
The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin Gregory J. Haanstad and Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier made the request citing “Rule 48(a) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.”
Justin A. Schneider Federal Indictment 6-6-17
1-22-18 Fed prosecutors motion to dismiss aggravated rape charges against Justin A. Schneider
1-23-18 Federal judge approves dismissal of charges against Justin A. Schneider
When the grand jury returned the indictment, federal prosecutors put out a press release – and the news story appeared across Wisconsin.
A federal news release had not been put out on the dismissal of charges when this story was published.
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https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/pr/keshena-man-indicted-sexual-assault-menominee-indian-reservation
http://www.tchdailynews.com/2017/06/13/five-indicted-on-the-menominee-indian-reservation
Keshena Man Indicted for Sexual Assault on Menominee Indian Reservation
Gregory J. Haanstad, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 6, 2017, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against a man allegedly involved in a sexual assault on the Menominee Indian Reservation. The indictment named Justin A. Schneider (age: 18) of Keshena, which is located on the Menominee Indian Reservation. The indictment charges Schneider with Aggravated Sexual Abuse in violation of 18 United States Code, Section 2241(a)(1). Schneider faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and between 5 years and a lifetime of Supervised Release.
According to the indictment, on May 15, 2017, while at the defendant’s Keshena residence, the defendant engaged in a sexual act with an adult female by the use of force. According to the indictment, the defendant held down the victim’s arms and placed his hand on her chest during the sex act.
The Menominee Tribal Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Upper Peninsula Breaking News by Greg Peterson 