October 20, 2009
Pierre, South Dakota
United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Cherry Creek, South Dakota, woman was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 13, 2009, on a superseding indictment for child abuse. Wenona Rooks, age 37, appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 20, 2009, and pled not guilty to the 4 count superseding indictment. For Counts I and II, the maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, and 3 years of supervised release. For Counts III and IV, the maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, and 3 years of supervised release. A violation of release could result in two years additional incarceration for each occurrence. The charges relate to the suspect’s alleged abuse of four Cherry Creek children from July 2006 to November 2008. The charges are merely an accusation, and Rooks is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Law Enforcement Division; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Mikal Hanson is prosecuting the case. Rooks was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending trial. # # # |
