Woman from Pine Ridge Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Dakota
October 7, 2009

Acting U.S. Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that Annie Miner, age 20, of Pine Ridge, appeared before Chief U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier on October 7, 2009, and pled guilty to an indictment that charged her with Involuntary Manslaughter. The maximum penalty upon conviction is eight years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Miner pled guilty to operating her vehicle between 70-80 miles per hour while under the influence of alcohol and losing control. The vehicle collided with a three-strand barbed wire fence, and when Miner attempted to steer out of the ditch, this caused the vehicle to roll. As the vehicle rolled, both Miner and her passenger were ejected. Miner’s passenger was killed as a result of the accident. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri. A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for January 11, 2010. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.