Mission Man Pleads Not Guilty to Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Sexual Abuse

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Sexual Abuse.

Justin Arthur Beardt, age 28, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 21, 2011. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 27, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is life in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; life of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges are merely accusations, and Beardt is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Maher. Beardt was released to a third party custodian.