Wakpala Man Indicted for Sexual Abuse

US Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Wakpala man was indicted by a federal grand jury by superseding indictment for Sexual Abuse.

Lyle Baker, age 51, appeared before United States Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on November 23, 2011, and pled not guilty to the superseding indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The charge relates to the suspect’s alleged abuse of an Eagle Butte woman in May 2011. The charge is merely an accusation, and Baker is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant US Attorney Mikal Hanson is prosecuting the case. Baker was released on bond pending trial on April 10, 2012.