Norfolk man charged with arson

OMAHA —   United States Attorney, Joe Kelly, announced the unsealing of a criminal complaint charging Joseph Lloyd James, 47 of Norfolk,  with arson in connection with the burning of a car found on the Santee Sioux Indian reservation.

James’ arrest occurred Nov. 19 and was made during the investigation into the death of Phyllis Hunhoff of Yankton, South Dakota.

It is alleged James set fire to Hunhoff’s car.

The maximum punishment for the offense is 25 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a five year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

James was scheduled for his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Susan M. Bazis on Nov. 21.

As this matter concerns an ongoing investigation, the United States Attorney’s Office is unable to provide additional comment at this time.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, the Santee Sioux Nation Police Department, the Lincoln Police Department, the Nebraska State Fire Marshal, the Norfolk Police Department, the Niobrara Police Department, and the Yankton County Sheriff’s Office.

  A complaint is a formal accusation of conduct, not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.