Lower Brule Man Indicted on Sexual Abuse Charges

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Lower Brule man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Abusive Sexual Contact, and Aggravated Sexual Abuse.

John Estes, II, age 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 7, 2011. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 14, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The charges are merely accusations, and Estes is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years' imprisonment on each of the two counts of assault with a dangerous weaspon, 3 years' imprisonment on the sexual contact charge, and life or any term of years of imprisonment on the charge of aggravated sexual abuse.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lower Brule Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case. Estes was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not yet been set.