Oglala Sioux president, who campaigned in favor of an alcohol ban, now charged with DUI

May 6, 2020

PINE RIDGE, S.D. (AP) – The president of the Oglala Sioux is accused of driving drunk on the tribe’s reservation, the only one in South Dakota that bans alcohol.

A criminal complaint charges 34-year-old Julian Bear Runner with driving while intoxicated and also with threatening a man in Manderson last weekend.

Charges were filed Tuesday by tribal Attorney General Scott James.

Bear Runner, who was elected tribal president in November 2018, campaigned in favor of the alcohol ban on the Pine Ridge reservation.

The complaint says Bear Runner had a blood alcohol content of 0.10%.