Man from Pine Ridge Indicted for Abuse of a Minor Child

October 1, 2009
Rapid City, SD

Acting U.S. Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Pine Ridge man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Abuse of a Minor Child. John Bissonette, age 37, of Pine Ridge, was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 25, 2009, for Abuse of a Minor Child. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on October 1, 2009, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation, and Bissonette is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mara M. Kohn is prosecuting the case. Bissonette was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set. # # #