Parmelee Man Pleads Not Guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Parmelee, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Abusive Sexual Contact.

Clarence Jeffrey Smith, age 29, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 7, 2011. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 10, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is life in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; up to life of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge is merely an accusation, and Smith is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marie H. Ruettgers. Smith was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal.