FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :   Tuesday, May 15, 2012    
CONTACT:    Sara Rabern,  (605) 773-3215 

 
Ft. Pierre Man Enters Guilty Plea in Stanley County Shooting Case

PIERRE, S.D.- Attorney General Marty Jackley and Stanley County States Attorney Thomas Maher announced today that Ronald Lee Berens Jr. 39, Ft. Pierre, entered a plea of guilty today to one count of aggravated assault. This offense is a class 3 felony, punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment and/or a $30,000 fine.  Berens also admitted to a Part II Information for Habitual Offender exposing him to an elevated sentence of 25 year incarceration and a $50,000 fine.  Charges stem from an incident that occurred on April 29, 2012, when an argument between Berens and his girlfriend escalated and resulted in Berens discharging a firearm at the victim as she fled the residence.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 26, 2012 in Stanley County.
 

 
 
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