United States Attorney Bob Murray announced in a press release today that Xavier Brandon Guina, 25, of Fort Washakie, was charged with assault by strangulation and suffocation. Guina appeared for an arraignment hearing on February 15, 2022, before United States Magistrate Judge Teresa M. McKee.
A trial has been set for April 11, 2022, before United States District Court Chief Judge Scott W. Skavdahl. If convicted, Guina faces up to 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This crime is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant United States Attorney Kerry J. Jacobson is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.