WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) - A man who was featured in a documentary on the North Dakota oil patch and now faces sex trafficking and drug charges will be allowed to represent himself in the case.
Keith Graves is charged in federal court with numerous counts, including sex trafficking by force or coercion, obstruction, and distribution of methamphetamine. He complained that his lawyer filed for a delay in the case without his consent.
U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland says he finds Graves competent to represent himself, but assigned another lawyer as "standby counsel."
Graves was one of the main subjects in "The Overnighters," which won the special jury award at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. It followed a Lutheran pastor who opened his Williston church and parking lot to oil workers with nowhere to stay.