Rapid City Man Indicted For Failure To Register

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota man was indicted by a federal grand jury for failing to update his sexual offender registration as required.

Benjamin Godfrey Chipps Jr., 33, was indicted on February 20, 2013 for Failure to Register. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on March 11, 2013 and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years’ imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation and Chipps is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case. Chipps was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. A trial date has not been set.