Parmelee Man Pleads Not Guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact and Child Abuse

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 and Child Abuse.

Clarence Jeffrey Smith, age 29, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 21, 2011. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 3, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The charges are merely accusations, and Smith is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Maher. Smith was remanded to the custody of the Unites States Marshal.