A man who may have played a part in attacking someone with an unusual weapon denied the charges against him

Rapid City, SD – According to the court documents, his name is Vern Janis of Pine Ridge and he pleaded not guilty during a virtual court appearance to three felony charges stemming from an alleged assault with a machete.

The officials have reported that Janis assisted Fred Bagola, Jr. in injuring another man with the bladed instrument during an unknown altercation near Pine Ridge on May 23, 2020.

Both of the suspects are charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, but court documents do not suggest whether only one or both of the men injured the man with the weapon. The full extent of the victim’s injuries is also unknown.

If found guilty, he faces up to 30 years in prison and a $60,000 fine for the assault charges and 5 years in prison with a potential $10,000 fine for the accessory charge.