Rosebud Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Keith Sun Bear, age 36, of Rosebud, South Dakota, appeared before United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange on March 15, 2011, and pled guilty to an indictment that charged him with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both; up to two years of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Restitution may also be ordered.

Sun Bear was required to register as a sex offender in the location he was living based upon a sex offense of which he was previously convicted in federal court in 2002. The charge stems from Sun Bear failing to register in Todd County between April 2007 and August 2009. The investigation was conducted by Rosebud Law Enforcement Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Maher.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for June 6, 2011. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.