Activist/actor Russell Means says there is "no excuse" for failing to appear in federal court on some misdemeanor traffic charges.

Means says he missed the date because he is "just campaigning too hard" for the presidency of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Federal marshals arrested him on Saturday, right before a campaign appearance on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Means offered to pay a $510 bond with a check or credit card but the marshals would not accept it, he said. So some Lakotas who were at the campaign stop gave him the money, which had to be converted to a money order. In the meantime, Means spent some time in jail.

Means is running against Cecilia Fire Thunder, who is seeking to be the tribe's first female president. The election is November 2.

Get the Story:
Means arrested in Pine Ridge for failure to appear in court (The Rapid City Journal 10/24)
Tribe to choose between Russell Means, Cecilia Fire Thunder (AP 10/23)
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Relevant Links:
Russell Means - http://www.russellmeans.com
Oglala Sioux Tribe - http://www.lakotamall.com/oglalasiouxtribe

Related Stories:
Pine Ridge Election: Profile of Russell Means (10/22)
Pine Ridge Election: Profile of Cecilia Fire Thunder (10/21)
Russell Means, Fire Thunder to debate in Pine Ridge (10/18)
AIM leader, nurse face off in Pine Ridge election (10/8)
Russell Means top vote-getter in Pine Ridge primary (10/7)
Means says South Dakota GOP needs to do more (8/9)