Parmelee Man Pleads Not Guilty to Having Sexual Contact with a Child

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Parmelee, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for having sexual contact with a child, who had not attained the age of 12 years, in Todd County on September 8, 2010.

Clifton Whipple, age 32, was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 8, 2011, for Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on March 22, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is any term of years up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both; a period of supervised release of up to life; and a $100 assessment to the victim assistance fund. Restitution may also be ordered. The charge is merely an accusation, and Whipple is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by Rosebud Law Enforcement Services. Assistant United States Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case. Whipple was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. A trial date has been set for May 24, 2011.